The Wild Soul of the Woods -
Primeval and natural forests in the middle of Europe
Photo exhibition by Matthias Schickhofer
Third exhibition at the FOKUS Gallery in Admont
Vernissage: Sunday, 28 August 2022 at 6:00 pm
The artist is present
Exhibition: 29 August - 08 October 2022
Gallery FOKUS, 8911 Admont, Hauptstraße 32
Monday to Friday continuously from 09:00 - 17:00, Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00
In the new FOKUS Gallery in Admont, the third exhibition can already be admired from next week onwards with free admission: "The Wild Soul of the Forests - Primeval and Natural Forests in the Centre of Europe".. A photo exhibition by Matthias Schickhofer. The opening will take place on Sunday, 28 August at 6:00 p.m., no pre-registration is required!
Most people associate "jungle", "rainforest" or "taiga" with "primeval forest" - all areas that are far away. But wild forests have also survived nearby - as primeval forest relics on steep slopes, remote valleys or gorges in the mountains and hill country. Or as "natural forests" that were once used a long time ago and have since been able to develop back towards primeval forest.
Conservationist, book author, campaign consultant and photographer Matthias Schickhofer has explored and photographed hundreds of primeval and natural forests in Austria and the rest of Europe for his books and for international conservation projects.
This resulted in a unique fund of photographs of almost vanished paradise places all over Europe, which bear witness to the diversity and vitality of creation: dim forest halls, mighty veteran trees, bizarre deadwood monuments, seemingly chaotic proliferation, habitats of ancient creatures.
However, intact, natural, "wild" forests are not only of aesthetic value: they harbour an enormous biodiversity, store water and carbon, protect against flooding, secure soils, stabilise slopes and even provide local climate cooling and more precipitation.
While we (rightly) lament the destruction of the large forest areas in Amazonia, North America or Siberia, the last, extremely valuable natural and primeval forests in Europe are quietly disappearing. Especially in Romania or in Sweden. In Austria, too, protection regulations for natural forests - such as the EU Natura 2000 legislation - often exist only on paper and are not implemented in conformity with EU law. While natural forests in the core zones of the national parks are well protected, valuable natural forests in many Natura 2000 protected areas continue to be degraded by use or are gradually being lost altogether.
Matthias Schickhofer not only wants his photographs to be aesthetically moving, but also to shake things up and contribute to an increased awareness of the need to protect our last paradise forests: the pictures give an idea of what our "real" forests look like - in which life itself and natural evolution are the determining factors.use in numerous workshops to accompany him at first hand in the creation of his pictures and to get to know his personal style at close quarters.
www.schickhofer-photography.com
www.nationalpark-fotoschule.at
FOCUS - the new gallery of the National Park Photo School is a meeting place for image and word, for photography and lecture. In changing exhibitions, photographers and artists are presented whose special view of nature is intended to serve as a source of inspiration and sensitization. The FOKUS Gallery wants to enable, inspire and activate the sensual encounter with art and nature and, together with the programs of the National Park Photo School, contribute to a deeper understanding of nature.
© Matthias Schickhofer
© Matthias Schickhofer
© Matthias Schickhofer
General press enquiries:
Marco Schiefer, Tel: 0664-82 52 309
Photos:
Download link: https://nationalpark-gesaeuse.at/service/presse/
Rights notice: Use exclusively for reports in connection with this press release and with citation of the image rights. Any other use of the image material requires the consent of Gesäuse National Park GmbH.
