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Home >> Programs >> Take heART! >> Ashes and Snow Exhibit
Ashes and Snow
Ashes and Snow is an ongoing project by Gregory Colbert who, over the course of fourteen years, has made more than thirty expeditions to India, Egypt, Myanmar, Tonga, Sri Lanka, Nambia, Kenya, Antarctica, the Azores, Borneo, and many other locations to photograph unscripted interactions between humans and animals.
This fantastic exhibition includes more than 100 large-scale photographic artworks, a one-hour film, and two nine-minute film haikus. None of the images here have been digitally collaged or superimposed. They record what the artist himself saw through the lens of his camera.
Ashes and Snow was brought to Santa Monica from January 14th through May 14th, 2006. It's housed in the amazing Nomadic Museum, a 56,000 square foot traveling structure designed by Shigeru Ban. Constructed of 152 steel cargo containers supported by triangular trusses of paper tubes, the museum has two buildings and is 56 feet high.
The artworks, each approximately five feet by eight feet, are mounted on invisible filaments without explanatory text, to encourage an open-ended interaction with the images. The environment is all-natural, with soothing, mystical music to enhance the ambience.
As part of their Education Program, thousands of students have been given the opportunity to explore Ashes and Snow. Create Now! arranged for 20 at-risk youth from the special education school, Casa Pacifica, in Camarillo, to attend. This facility provides hope and help for abused, neglected and at-risk children.
Special Programs Coordinator Tracy Takahashi remarked, "Nothing could have prepared the students and me for the incredible journey we were about to embark upon. The field trip to see Ashes and Snow invited curiosity, expanded our minds, and let us leave our own skins for one day."
As part of their field trip, Tracy gave the students an assignment to write notes about their experience. Just getting to be in such a remarkable location was inspirational for these at-risk youth. Teenager Kristen said, "It was magical. The misty and darkened atmosphere gives me a feeling of relaxation and curiosity. The photographs are like relics of power, calling out sorrowfully and beautifully."
Greg, another student from Casa Pacifica, shares his thoughts: "It was unbelievable, the entire set-up was incredible. It was so cool, and I hadn't even gone inside!!! When I went inside, it was like walking out of reality, and stepping into a dream.
"My favorite photograph was Gregory (Colbert) floating under water right under an elephant. I don't know why, but it had a spiritual meaning to it."
This youth had a great epiphany about how the pier and rocks that enveloped the exhibit had a very special meaning. Read all of Greg's comments here.
Observing the films and these incredible photographs gave these kids many things to think about. Anthony observed, "They are not at war. I cannot believe there is not a war between them. Maybe they do not hate each other. This is cool and amazing. Maybe some day we will all get along."
One youth was very embarrassed about the fact that he couldn't write. His teachers had a hard time getting him to write even one sentence.
But after visiting Ashes and Snow, he wrote an entire page of notes. His teachers were astounded!
Another student, Roy, remarked, "My favorite photo is a photo with a little boy that is about 10 or 11 and he's sleeping beside four cheetahs and they are sitting beside him. They probably are friends, because it looked like they were no threat to the boy. I'd feel safe knowing that four cheetahs are watching over me."
Ashes and Snow includes images with all kinds of animals. Most of the kids related to the fact that creatures which would normally be terrifying were relaxed and loving toward humans. For these at-risk youth, that can be very comforting.
Anthony couldn't believe that animals and people got along. "The animals are not afraid. To see how they get along is amazing. They have a lot of emotions and it shows how the monks worship the elephants. They love animals a lot. They do not show fear.
Often, it's the simple beauty of life that leaves the most lasting impression. Kristen was very touched by one particular photo. "The child holds a seashell in both hands, presenting it to lifelessness. But behind him is a family of elephants quietly observing the boy's actions and mourning the barren landscape."
Although we were unable to obtain a copy of the photograph that Kristen loves, you can still appreciate, as she did, the inherent beauty of these images.
Tracy says, "Though not all my students loved, or even liked, the exhibit, still they had an opinion and communicated that opinion to their peers and staff alike. They wrote about what they saw, they wondered at the relationships between animals and humans. I could go on and on about what we saw and experienced, but it would not be half as vivid or eloquently described as those observations my students have made. Thank you, Create Now! for helping us take this journey. It is something my students and I will always remember."
Exposing at-risk youth to the arts is crucial for their education, as well as their spirits. Seeds have been planted that can blossom with time. We thank the staff of Ashes and Snow for allowing the Casa Pacifica students through Create Now! to experience this wonderful exhibit.