As one of the youngest landmasses on the planet, the small, north Atlantic country of Iceland is a land of geological wonder and awe. Iceland is situated in one of the most dynamic volcanic regions in the world due to its proximity to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Here, the collision of tectonic plates forces heat and magma close to earth’s surface, resulting in tremendous geothermal resources. It’s with these natural resources that Iceland has been able to generate inexpensive, renewable and sustainable energy solutions. This carbon-free energy extraction is critical to preserving and protecting Iceland’s fragile landforms and ecosystem while maintaining the integrity of the fragile landscape.
Landforms is an examination of Iceland’s geothermal extraction infrastructure and its relation to the natural landscape. The way in which the structures have been designed, whether intentionally or coincidentally, have a mass and a volume and an aesthetic that echo the natural landforms around them. These photographs explore how natural and manmade landforms coexist in this unique environment while still an maintaining an egalitarian relationship.
Using a 6x7 medium format camera to achieve optimal clarity and resolution for this process, Neal has been photographing Iceland for the past two years, examining this infrastructure and its relationship to the natural world.