The tragedy of Urmia lake, I

The tragedy of Urmia lake, I.

Mohsen Bayramnejad’s series, ‘The Tragedy of Urmia Lake’, captures the transformation of a landscape over time. Created over a decade from 2008 to 2018, the images document a crucial period in the shrinkage of the famous salt lake, which reached its smallest size due to factors such as drought, damming, and groundwater extraction.

Bayramnejad's expressive sensibility is evident in his choice of perspective, camera angle, film, and composition. He conveys a sense of awe at the haunting, yet beautiful, sight of the receding lake. The photographs resemble abstract paintings, presenting fields of rich textures punctuated by gestural or geometric forms. For instance, the branch of a dead tree catches the light, evoking images of antlers or bones, while fragments of a man-made wooden structure resemble minimalist sculptures.

In addition to their artistic value, the images serve as thought-provoking explorations. They pose essential questions: "Can this trend be reversed?" "Do we have the power to prevent this kind of devastation?" "What will happen to both human and animal life when this water—and, by extension, our natural resources—disappears entirely?"