Afar

Afar III framed fine art print by Luca Marziale, bright green acidic pools ringed by white salt crust between dark rock fragments, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Afar III - Framed
Prints Available in 30 × 30 in & 45 × 45 in

  • Afar was photographed in the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia's Afar region, more than 100 metres below sea level and one of the hottest places on Earth, where temperatures can exceed 50°C. Beneath the surface, three tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart. Volcanic heat rises through vast deposits of salt left by an ancient sea, creating acidic hot springs and steaming pools.

    The water emerges green, then changes as its iron reacts with the air, turning yellow, orange and rust red. Around the springs, white salt forms crusts, terraces and small cones. It is a landscape in constant transformation, sometimes changing from one day to the next. Scientists study this extreme environment to better understand the limits of life on Earth and whether life could exist on other planets.

    In these images, I removed anything that might reveal what we are looking at. No horizon, no familiar objects, no sense of scale. What appear to be vast landscapes are, in fact, close-up studies of very small areas of the surface, where colour, texture and form take on a scale of their own.

    Limited-edition fine art C-type prints are available in two sizes:
    Small: 30 × 60 inches · Edition of 10
    Large: 45 × 90 inches · Edition of 5

Afar I diptych, deep green hot spring water bordered by bands of vivid yellow and white salt crust, orange mineral deposits along top edge, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Afar I - 2017 | C-Type Print

Afar II diptych, dense folds of dark rock in deep blue volcano, ropelike ridges and cracks catching pale light, abstract mineral texture, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Afar II - 2017 | C-Type Print

Afar III, bright green acidic pools ringed by white and yellow salt crust between jagged dark rock fragments, close view of mineral surface, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Afar III - 2017 | C-Type Print

Afar IV, pool of vivid yellow and orange mineral crystals surrounded by cracked dark grey rock, close view of hot spring surface, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Afar IV - 2017 | C-Type Print

Afar V, lime green spring water edged with cream and yellow salt crust, touch of orange mineral in corner, abstract close view, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Afar V - 2017 | C-Type Print

Afar VI, Lava swirling folds of dark grey rock forming ropelike ridges and curves, textured surface in soft light, abstract close view, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
Afar VII diptych, rust orange salt formations rising from green acidic water, white salt terraces spreading across pools, close view, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
Afar VII diptych, rust orange salt formations rising from green acidic water, white salt terraces spreading across pools, close view, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Afar VI - 2017 | C-Type Print

Afar VII - 2017 | C-Type Print

Afar VIII diptych, vivid yellow mineral deposits spreading across dark brown and rust red crusted ground, close view of hot spring surface, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Afar VIII - 2017 | C-Type Print

Afar IX diptych, close view of white and lavender salt crystals clustered in soft rounded forms, streaks of bright yellow mineral, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Afar IX - 2017 | C-Type Print

Afar X, close view of golden yellow mineral formations growing like coral above sparkling white salt crystals, soft focus background, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Afar X - 2017 | C-Type Print

Afar XI, close view of glistening white salt crystals between bright orange mineral crust above and green spring water below, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Afar XI - 2017 | C-Type Print

Afar XII, layered yellow and lime green salt terraces stepping across acidic spring water, crusted white edges in fine detail, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Afar XII - 2017 | C-Type Print

Afar XIII, golden orange mineral crust cracked into polygon patterns with small pools of bright yellow, close view of hot spring surface, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Afar XIII - 2017 | C-Type Print

Afar XIV, Volcano deep blue field of folded and cracked rock textures stretching toward top edge, abstract close view of mineral surface, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Afar XIV - 2017 | C-Type Print

Afar XVII diptych, rust orange and red mineral crusts around small green and yellow pool, textured iron rich ground, close view, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Afar XVII - 2017 | C-Type Print

Afar XV, rust brown salt mounds rising from shallow yellow green acidic water, white salt crust around each formation, close view, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Afar XV - 2017 | C-Type Print

Afar XVI diptych, salmon pink and orange salt crust with raised curving ridges scattered across flat mineral surface, close view, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia

Afar XVI - 2017 | C-Type Print

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