Glaciers!

Created over a long time in the empire of the cold to spread over the valleys, always transforming anew, living and conserving. Lying in the edges of the civilisation, they are hidden on our maps mostly as not cultivated, white spots, as places of the “eternal ice”. And nevertheless! Glaciers and ice, what a strong symbol of the absolutely transient! A rare coincidence will awake something never seen. Maybe we will be witness of an incomparable kind of light. Unfortunately only a short life will be granted to these new creations of beauty. It will force us to stop, to gaze in disbelief, maybe even shudder. Soon the law of nature will alter every discovered piece of art and all material remembrance will be breaking up.

It starts with a long journey to the village of Zinal in Valais, in the south of Switzerland. On foot, it is initially on good way uphill. After a pathless section along the river, the Zinal Glacier is reached. This is followed by the ascent to the high glacier edge and then a march on the glacier covered with scree. I am now in a narrow valley step. Here is the glacier ice is in extreme motion, everything dissolves. Already a good part of the liberated rocks is visible. Where there is still glacier ice, caves and labyrinths show gaps. Last year still heavily water bearing, this ice cave is practically drained. Part of the ceiling collapsed and discharged what was on top into the interior. An oblique cone of outside light turns a curtain of drops of water into a magical light. In stark contrast, stones of all sizes discharge at short intervals from the edge of the cave. Their impact force startles and reminds you to keep your distance.