Ober Gabelhorn
Ephemeral and Eternal
About the work
In capturing this portrait, I wanted to crystallise the beauty of the Obergabelhorn by isolating the moment, catching the simplicity of the light that has just fallen on this mountain. Its lines are so pure, so aesthetic. It's a bewitching mountain and I can't resist its call.
There's incredible detail in this photograph. To the left, in the shadows, a white line draws our attention: it's the line marking the start of an avalanche. Then, on the side of the Grand Gendarme, the snow-covered rocks offer subtle contrasts; the shot has something abstract and indefinable about it. A few wisps of cloud emerge abruptly from summit, a reminder of the power of the winds that prevail at these divine altitudes.
Over time, the crevasses at the bottom of the glacier open up more and more, revealing veritable abysses; a scene that contrasts with the gentle lines of the north face. This detail makes me want to climb this royal route (the Grail of every mountaineer) soon; in a few years' time, conditions may well change radically, making access to the north face too dangerous.
Let's take a moment to appreciate the poetic dimension of this work. The sea of clouds is high enough to take the viewer by surprise, and provide an instant change of scenery. Emerging from this Soft cotton, summit seems immense, immeasurable, and ultimately leaves us dreaming; it could be a Himalayan 7000 or 8000... are we in Switzerland, Nepal, Pakistan? All it takes is the interplay of a few clouds, light and snow for a mountain we thought we knew so well to reveal itself in a form we could never have imagined. This is the magic of the world above.
print art
Limited Edition
Certificate and Signature
suggestions from Thomas Crauwels
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