Giulohi from the Sugan Glacier, Central Caucasus by Vittorio Sella

c. 1890

Giulohi from the Sugan Glacier, Central Caucasus

Listen to curator's interpretation

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Curatorial notes

Curator: Vittorio Sella's stark photograph captures "Giulohi from the Sugan Glacier, Central Caucasus." It's a study in contrasts, really, all greys and whites. Editor: It certainly evokes a sense of isolation, doesn't it? The vastness of the landscape is almost overwhelming; you feel so small in comparison. Curator: Yes, and I think that's tied to the mountain as a long-standing symbol—of the sublime, of nature's power, of our own vulnerability in its face. The glacier, especially, holds a complex symbolism. Editor: The glacier reminds me of the very real and urgent threat of climate change. I mean, images like this are documents of a landscape that is rapidly transforming, disappearing even, before our eyes. Curator: Absolutely. Sella's work, though perhaps not intentionally, serves as a poignant reminder of what we stand to lose. Editor: It's definitely a powerful visual testament. Food for thought about our relationship with nature.