Mt. Etna, Sicily c. 1892

Editor: Here we have Vittorio Sella’s photograph, “Mt. Etna, Sicily.” It feels so stark and barren, almost lunar, with those tiny figures dwarfed by the landscape. What strikes you about it? Curator: The photograph captures not only a landscape, but a power dynamic. Look at the figures. Their presence, almost an intrusion, throws into relief questions of human impact and colonialism. How do we frame our relationship with the environment, particularly in light of climate change? Editor: So, you're saying it's more than just a pretty picture of a mountain? Curator: Precisely. It invites us to consider the ethical dimensions of landscape photography, its role in shaping perceptions and perpetuating power structures. What do you think? Editor: I never thought about it that way; it's not just about what's in the frame, but what's outside it, too. Curator: Indeed. The silences and historical context hold as much weight.