From the Finsteraarhorn, Bernese Oberland 1923

Curator: This is a photograph by E. Gyger, titled "From the Finsteraarhorn, Bernese Oberland." Editor: Wow, it’s bleak, but in a beautifully stark way. All that snow and rock—it feels ancient, almost primordial. Curator: Absolutely. These mountains have long represented not only natural grandeur, but also the sublime challenges of human exploration and dominion. The photograph embodies a very Eurocentric perspective on nature. Editor: You know, it also feels…lonely? Makes me think about the fragility of our place in the world, perched on this tiny blue dot. Curator: Indeed, the unforgiving landscape underscores humanity's smallness against geological time scales, and that is one of its enduring legacies. Editor: I guess looking at this photo, I’m thinking about what we’re leaving behind for future generations. Makes you want to hold onto the present. Curator: Well, thinking about how we can actively reshape the future and grapple with our past is important.