The fragility of nature takes center stage in Lena C. Emery’s poignant exhibition, The Mountains Between Us, hosted at FRIEZE No. 9 Cork Street, London.
This ambitious project, presented in collaboration with environmental law charity ClientEarth, merges photography, video installations, and sculptural objects to confront one of the most urgent environmental crises of our time: the accelerated disappearance of mountain glaciers.
Emery's work delves into the plight of the Rhône Glacier in the Swiss Alps, a site at the frontline of conservation efforts. Swathed in protective geotextiles to slow its melting, the glacier serves as both a symbol of human intervention and a stark reminder of the limits of preservation amidst the growing pressures of global warming. What took centuries to form is now vanishing within decades, reflecting a future that experts predict will see two-thirds of the world’s glaciers gone by the century's end.
Through her evocative visual language, Emery captures this transformation, offering an intimate view of the glacier’s fragile beauty while grappling with humanity’s responsibility to the natural world. Each photograph, video, and sculptural element in the exhibition reflects the interplay between nature’s resilience and the profound consequences of human impact.
The Mountains Between Us goes beyond lamenting loss—it calls for action. Emery's work aligns with ClientEarth’s mission to combat climate change through legal frameworks and advocacy, emphasizing the vital role of decarbonization in safeguarding what remains. Her art transforms the glacier into a metaphor for the broader environmental challenges we face, creating a space for dialogue on preservation and sustainability.
As visitors navigate Emery’s meticulously curated pieces, they are invited to reflect on their own connection to the environment and the collective urgency to act. This exhibition is a call to reimagine humanity’s relationship with nature and confront the cascading consequences of inaction.
