New Zealand - Aotearoa, 'A Long White Cloud'
...if you had said simply that the Fields are pretty, you would have done nothing but depict for me their greening—which I already know of—but if you say the Fields laugh, you show me the Earth as Animate and reciprocally I will learn to observe in human Countenances all the refinements that I have perceived in the fields.
'The Island of the Day Before', by Umberto Eco
Further information below images
Photographs taken in 2020 & 2023
This work is one of three linked projects, each one an investigation of a volcanic island; Fuerteventura, Iceland and New Zealand - Aotearoa (North and South Islands combined).
The volcanoes of Fuerteventura are old and considered extinct with the last eruption being 4 - 5000 years ago, whereas those of Iceland are very much active. There was a recent Icelandic eruption of Fagradalsfjall in August 2022, and a huge eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in April 2010 which was so far reaching that many flights within Europe were cancelled following it. At this time May 2025, the most recent eruption was in the Sundhnúkur volcanic system close to the fishing town of Grindavik and the famous Blue Lagoon spa. New Zealand seems to be in-between with dormant/active volcanoes, the most recent eruption was, not on the mainland but on White Island/Whakaari 48 km off the coast, in December 2019
Whilst all three islands’ geological origins are volcanic there are evident current differences; the development of the landscape; the subsequent human adaptation to the landscape; the climatic conditions; the lighting; amongst others. I am particularly interested in the distinctiveness of each and attempt to reflect my differing experience, and observations of each, in the images presented of all three countries.
I would emphasis that I look at these islands through the eyes of an artist/photographer and not those of a geologist, my knowledge of geology and volcanic activity being merely that of an interested observer!
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