Piz Roseg, Ils Dschimels, La Sella, The Engadine 1921

Curator: This photograph, simply titled "Piz Roseg, Ils Dschimels, La Sella, The Engadine" by A. G. Wehrli, presents a striking view of the Swiss Alps. Editor: It’s bleakly beautiful, isn't it? All that ice and rock, a monochrome testament to nature's indifference. Curator: Wehrli's composition focuses intently on the imposing scale of the mountains and the glaciers carving their way down the slopes. I wonder if this was taken around 1921. Editor: Indifference, maybe, but also a stark reminder of the landscapes that are now acutely endangered. This image becomes a historical marker, reminding us of what we stand to lose because of the climate emergency. Curator: Absolutely. It's a perspective that makes you reflect on your own insignificance in the face of geological time, but also on our responsibility to protect it. Editor: In a way, these austere images, captured in shades of gray, speak more loudly now about the urgency of climate action than any colorful propaganda could. Curator: True, and perhaps Wehrli unconsciously understood that power of place. Editor: Well, whatever his intent, the image now serves as a potent signifier of loss.