The Dead Sea is Dying
As a photographer and visual storyteller, I am deeply committed to utilizing my art as a platform to shed light on significant environmental issues that require urgent attention. With my latest series, ‘The Dead Sea is Dying,’ I aim to capture the profound beauty of a dying natural wonder and provoke contemplation about the rapid pace of its demise.
The Dead Sea, situated between Jordan and Israel, has long been a captivating subject that has fascinated both travellers and researchers alike. However, beneath its enchanting surface lies a devastating ecological crisis. The alarming depletion of water levels and the consequential shrinking of the sea poses severe threats to the delicate balance of this unique ecosystem.
Over the last 60 years, the Dead Sea has been shrinking as its main water sources have been depleted – the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee. Fertilizer and chemical companies evaporate its water to extract minerals. New dams are diverting water that would otherwise reach the Dead Sea. In addition, the amount of rainwater reaching the sea has also diminished since flash floods started pouring into sinkholes. As a result, its water levels have been dropping by more than 1.3 meters per year and its surface area has shrunk by 40%!
Thousands of sinkholes have resulted from the drying up of the water and the surrounding ground. Hotels and spas that once lined the waterfront are now hundreds of meters away from the shoreline while many resorts and beaches have been forced to close down. Fences with signs warning of sinkholes line much of the northern coast, whose dry brown expanse is also dotted with abandoned date palm groves, closed roads, and shuttered buildings.
In ‘The Dead Sea’ series I explore the dichotomy between the remarkable serenity of the Dead Sea and the impending devastation it faces. Through careful composition, juxtaposing elements of life and decay, I strive to communicate a sense of urgency and compassion towards the environmental challenges our world confronts.
By employing a combination of crispy post processing photography techniques, I reveal striking details and textures that offer viewers an immersive experience. Capturing the Dead Sea’s skeletal remains, salt-encrusted shorelines, and ravishing sunsets, I aim to evoke an emotional response that compels individuals to take action against the imminent danger that the Dead Sea confronts.
Through this series, I urge viewers to reflect upon plant earth dependence on our fragile ecosystems and the critical importance of preserving the natural wonders that define our its diverse beauty. While this body of work may initially appear melancholic, it also serves as a visual narrative that calls for collective responsibility and transformative action to prevent further ecological disruptions.
Ultimately, ‘The Dead Sea is Dying’ is a heartfelt plea, encapsulated through visceral and thought-provoking imagery, to halt the rapid deterioration of one of the world’s most remarkable natural phenomena. It is my hope that this series ignites conversations, inspires conservation efforts, and galvanizes individuals to protect and restore our fragile ecosystems for generations to come.
(c) Ilan Wittenberg
(c) Ilan Wittenberg
