Polina Kuprina
Trace of Humanity
Trace of Humanity
Polina Kuprina
In an ever-changing world, humanity’s impact on the environment and the natural world around us remains a topic of intense contemplation and examination. By delving into the concepts of memory, time, and destruction, my project reflects on how humans influence, alter, and, at times, erase the landscapes they inhabit—while also contemplating how these landscapes endure beyond our presence. The central objective of Traces of Humanity is to visually explore the evolving relationship between human actions and nature’s resilience. It examines how the forces of time, environmental changes, and human intervention converge to transform landscapes, leaving behind traces of our presence and influence. The project highlights the concept of the Anthropocene—an epoch defined by humanity’s significant impact on the Earth—yet tempered by nature’s persistent ability to adapt and renew. What remains after human intervention? What traces of civilization do we leave behind, and how do these imprints interact with the surrounding environment over time, as the natural world continues to reshape spaces?
Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands, serves as the setting for this exploration. Its landscape is a direct manifestation of both geological processes and human influence. The island has been shaped by multiple volcanic eruptions, with its terrain radically altered by both natural forces and human activity over the centuries. The volcanic eruptions have left a profound mark, creating a landscape that bears the scars of both destruction and rebirth. The resulting geological features—vast lava plains, craters, and rocky terrains—serve as a reminder of nature’s immense power and its ability to reshape the world. As lava flows engulf structures and change the earth, human-made markings gradually fade, replaced by the enduring forces of erosion, plant growth, and geological transformation. However, Lanzarote’s landscape is also marked by human presence, with abandoned quarries, derelict structures, and traces of past settlements. These marks interact with the natural landscape, slowly being overtaken by time and nature’s relentless force. Over time, these imprints are gradually eroded or buried beneath the forces of nature, symbolizing how human presence in the world—once monumental—eventually fades away.
The first image in the series captures a step in the sand near the ocean, where a strong wind sweeps it away in an instant. This fleeting step serves as a metaphor for the famous quote, "A small step for man, a giant leap for mankind," perhaps even symbolizing humanity’s eventual exit from Earth. Further photographs are not merely record of abandoned places; they are meditations and poetic reflections on the passage of time. Each image reflects a moment where the forces of nature and human history have intersected. Through this lens, the project explores the concept of memory, capturing not only what remains in the present but also hinting at what may be lost in the future. The photographs reflect on the past and contemplate the future, urging viewers to consider how our actions today may leave their own marks on the world that future generations will inherit.