The Longest Sunset

During the flight to Keflavík Airport, one can gaze at the sunset for several hours. Staying in Reykjavík during the month of December is like being immersed in a sunset for an entire month. What truly matters in photography is the possibility of working freely, without preconceptions. The direction emerges through intuition and sensibility, sustained by an honest approach and by attention to a quiet secret and the intimate relationship between the photographer and the landscape into which he has drifted. The ancient struggle for survival between humankind and nature forms the backdrop to these images, which do not seek to provide answers. Instead, they move through natural elements, drawing close to something unknown. A subtle disorientation runs through them, resisting any fixed interpretation.

A CALL TO ACTION FOR ALL OF US
Silvia Bonaventura – Valeria Bella Gallery

Iceland is a land rich in stories of both small and great revolutions. One of Iceland’s most significant transformations is the one related to the use of renewable energy sources. Only 50 years ago, Iceland depended on oil, whereas today it produces almost all of its energy from renewable sources and, particularly hydroelectric and geothermal power plants. But revolutions, as we know, begin with everyday life, and in Iceland there is a deep respect for the environment, expressed even through simple gestures such as not sitting or walking on the delicate Icelandic moss that grows at the rate of just a few millimetres a year.
Despite the country’s commitment to sustainable development, the effects of climate change are transforming both its landscape and economy. The Okjökull glacier has completely melted, and scientists predict that the others will also disappear over the next two hundred years, including Vatnajökull, a vast glacier covering almost 8,000 square kilometres. According to some research, the shift in weight caused by the melting of large glaciers could lead to an increase in volcanic and seismic activity. Some Icelandic towns are already experiencing underground tremors that damage pipelines and cause sudden flooding, or in extreme cases, rising lava levels have led to eruptions threatening to destroy entire towns, as happened near Grindavík in 2024.

In The Longest Sunset, nature is depicted in all its majestic beauty. The photographer and the viewer are immersed in breathtaking landscapes that capture the wild and unspoilt essence of Iceland. The photographs are not merely static images, but tell a dynamic story of a land undergoing profound changes. The Longest Sunset thus becomes not only a collection of extraordinary images, but also a call to action, prompting deep reflection on the everyday choices that can influence environmental sustainability. In a world where nature is constantly changing, these photographs serve as a bridge between the present and an uncertain future, inspiring greater awareness, and a collective commitment to protecting the natural world around us.

All the photos were taken during December 2022 at SÍM Residency in Iceland.

Shortlisted at  Sony World Photography Awards, professional/landscape category, in 2023.