Under these Vast Skies: The Anthropocene Epoch
At first glance these scenes seem surreal and almost magical. However, there is a sinister narrative at play - Under these Vast Skies: These Landscapes shouldn't look like this. Across scale and territory, this collection of photographs from sites across Iceland and NE England, lays bare the impact of the Anthropocene Epoch on our Landscape.
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Sólheimajökull: Retreating Snout and Lagoon.
Between Volcanoes Katla and Eyjafjallajökull, Sólheimajökull is an 11km long outlet glacier in Iceland. In 1090 the glacier was located 1794m further from its point today. In its place, a Lagoon was created in 2011 by the continuously retreating snout. Due to climate change, within the next century, many of Iceland’s glaciers will become extinct.
Blast Beach: A time-capsule of place.
Nose’s Point, Durham NE England was home to one of the largest coal mines in Europe, and to some of the worst coastline pollution in the world. This Durham coastline has been shaped by a mix of colliery waste, along with soda crystals and magnesia from a Chemical works. The fossils of flora and fauna left behind are time-capsules of place, time, and waste.
Rutshellir: First Settlers and Architecture.
Rutshellir is thought to be the oldest extant man-made residence in South Iceland and evidences the architectural wisdom and determination of first settlers to survive in inhospitable environments. 41 of these Caves have been declared as protected sites, however they are largely unknown. This cave is arched and holds fragments of a Smithy.
Hverageroi: ‘Hot Spring Town’.
Hverageroi, often called ‘Earthquake Town’ or ‘Hot Spring Town’, is a geothermal landscape of hot springs and (growing) houses. These houses aren’t supposed to be here. The active geological and geothermal forces continue to enable life, however the fear of a powerful earthquake or eruption in this settlement lays dormant amongst the community.
The Mundane Monument: Transmission.
In transit through the ever-changing Icelandic landscape, the Plyon is a constant. Not specific to this place, but very explicit in this place, could these pylons be considered as Monuments? Are they mundane? Perhaps, however by framing the mundane sites as “monuments,” Robert Smithson challenges the conceptions of aesthetic and historical significance.
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Well done Lesley
Well written