Ice needles, Unter Grindelwald glacier before 1866

Editor: Here we have Ernest Edwards's albumen print, “Ice Needles, Unter Grindelwald Glacier,” taken before 1866. I find it quite striking; these glacial formations are imposing. What draws your eye when you look at it? Curator: What resonates with me are these "ice needles," presented almost like teeth, these jagged formations thrusting upwards. I consider how mountains, especially glaciers, have long represented the sublime. They are emblems of something both terrifying and majestic. They evoke power that's beyond our control, ancient forces, reminding us of nature's indifferent strength. Do you think Edwards was tapping into this sentiment? Editor: Perhaps, though I wonder if it could also symbolize fragility? The title uses the word "needles", which is evocative of thinness and brittleness, quite the opposite of what teeth represent! Curator: An interesting perspective. "Needles" does introduce a vulnerability, suggesting impermanence amidst such grand scale. As our environment changes, do these needles now also function as symbols of a vanishing world, reminders of loss and the fleeting nature of our landscape? The visual impact becomes increasingly poignant when considering potential disappearance. Editor: That is very true. It’s incredible how much can be read into a landscape just by carefully considering what different symbols within it represent and how our perception of their symbolism evolves over time. Curator: Exactly, it is about how we continue to engage with imagery.