Abstract Topography

The series Abstract Topography is exploring the landscape of a glacier. 

The collection of large-format digital prints, titled "Abstract Topographies," examines the rapidly changing landscapes of glaciers through innovative mediums. Traditionally, topography is depicted using contour lines, which represent stable, slowly evolving landscapes. However, capturing the swift transformations of melting glaciers requires alternative approaches.

These prints offer a novel representation by following the slope lines of the terrain—the very paths that melting ice and water traverse. The vibrant colors are inspired by algal blooms occurring in melting snow. Carotenoid-rich pink algae, such as Chlamydomonas nivalis, proliferate on melting glaciers, imparting a vivid watermelon-like hue to the ice and snow. This phenomenon, often referred to as "watermelon snow," not only adds a striking visual element but also accelerates the melting process by reducing the snow's albedo, causing it to absorb more sunlight. 

By highlighting these dynamic processes and their visual manifestations, "Abstract Topographies" invites viewers to reflect on the intricate and accelerating changes occurring in glacial environments.