The Driest Place on Earth

About

A collection of boundless landscapes, The Atacama Desert is also known as the driest place on our planet. Formed of extra-terrestrial environments, arid grounds and infinitely clear skies, The Atacama holds a unique ability to challenge the perception of those who encounter it. 

Empowering, humbling, 

living and feeling part of this sublime environment enables one to notice our individuality within nature.

This vulnerable body in the bounds of untamed earth. ​

She cracks our skin dry and creeps her dust into our lungs. 

And yet, nothing is as it seems. 

The earth seems sharp, strong, hostile even. 

Seemingly indestructible and yet , placing a hand on its scorched soil, it crumbles to dust. The earth is subtle, unlike us or other animals, it remains somewhat silent, even when in pain.

A treasury of mineral resources , The Atacama has attracted mining industries for decades. Today, as the population increases, the demand for resources grows. 

We believe that we are shifting to more electrical- ‘ecological’- power sources,  

however, in reality these intense rhythms of extraction have allowed the creation of additional grounds for lithium mining. In turn this allows highly exploitative, water demanding industries to abuse the earth to its core without regulation.

Despite this, a rich ecosystem survives.

This is as a result of the knowledge of indigenous communities who fight to protect our planet. 

The community of Coyo lives in an Oasis, which they cultivate.  On protected land, they not only maintain the ecosystem but also study new, more respectful ways of using the earth’s resources. 

Today’s high demand is met with innovative thinking, as well as a true consciousness and gratefulness for the Earth.  We can only consume with steadiness.

‘The Driest Place on Earth’ is an exhibition of parallels. Contrasting environments, temperatures and bodies meet on the same earth.  The work searches the space that exists between the sourcing and consumption of our products. It is in that space that the disconnection between individuals and the Earth becomes most apparent. 

There is something unreachable, untranslatable about the desert. Rather than observed and documented, it is to be felt.

Like the desert, this work aspires to be more than solely observed. It forges a space, where one can mediate on on our role within the anthropocene. Where each viewer can feel and respond to their relationship with the earth.