The Eyes of Earth by Solmaz Daryani

Solmaz Daryani’s photography project, "The Eyes of Earth," serves as a visual eulogy to Lake Urmia, a once-vibrant ecological jewel now languishing in the throes of an environmental catastrophe.

Through her lens, Daryani chronicles the disintegration of a landscape integral to her identity, capturing both the physical desiccation of the lake and the erosion of a way of life.

Lake Urmia, nestled between East and West Azerbaijan provinces in northwest Iran, was the largest salt lake in the Middle East and the sixth largest globally. Renowned for its striking biodiversity, it provided sanctuary to myriad avian species, including ducks, pelicans, and flamingos. The lake’s saline waters and therapeutic black mud drew throngs of visitors, creating a bustling hub of tourism that thrived under the stewardship of Daryani’s grandfather, who managed a lakefront hotel in the port of Sharafkhaneh.

Daryani’s summers spent at Lake Urmia were idyllic, suffused with the rhythms of a vibrant community of sailors and holidaymakers. However, the last two decades have wrought a devastating transformation. Climate change, mismanagement of water resources, and agricultural overdevelopment have precipitated a drastic reduction in the lake’s water levels, with 80% of its expanse now desiccated. The construction of numerous dams on the lake’s feeder rivers further exacerbated its plight.

The project captures haunting images of a parched landscape, where once lively shores are now desolate stretches of salt and cracked earth. Her photographs evoke a deep sense of loss and nostalgia, portraying the stark contrast between her cherished memories and the current desolation.

Despite the bleakness, there is a glimmer of hope. Torrential rains in 2018, coupled with renewed governmental efforts, have somewhat revived the lake, sparking cautious optimism for its future. This cyclical interplay of despair and hope is a central theme in Daryani’s work, reflecting the broader human condition and our intrinsic connection to nature.

Quoting Henry David Thoreau, “A lake is earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature,” Daryani’s project compels us to reflect on our environmental stewardship. Her intimate portrayal of Lake Urmia’s plight is a clarion call to acknowledge and rectify the anthropogenic impacts on our planet, reminding us that the fate of such natural wonders is inextricably linked to our own.

In "The Eyes of Earth," Solmaz Daryani transcends mere documentation, offering a narrative that is both a personal lament and a universal plea.

Photography: Solmaz Daryani
Text: @zaxarov

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