“Genesis”, assembled and curated by Lélia Wanick Salgado, is a photographic journey into the planet — an expedition to rediscover the mountains, deserts and oceans, the animals and peoples that have so far escaped the imprint of modern society. The land and life of a still pristine planet. Yet Genesis is also a project that speaks urgently to our own age. By portraying the breathtaking beauty of a “lost” world that somehow survives, it proclaims: this is what is in peril, this is what we must save.

Salgado began this large-scale work in 2004 and completed it in 2011. Over these years, he visited the Kalahari Desert, the jungles of Indonesia, the Galapagos Islands, Madagascar, Alaska, Antarctica and other places where the beauty of untouched, pristine nature amazes with its epic splendor and inspires to preserve it for future generations. A lot of photographs were taken in Russia on the Kamchatka Peninsula and Wrangel Island.

Unlike the other socially oriented photography projects that won him glory (“Other Americas” 1986, “Workers” 1993, “Terra” 1997, “Migrations and Portraits” 2000, “Africa” 2007), this exhibition aestheticizes the greatness of the Earth, 46% of which are still preserved pristine.

“We live in a critical time for our planet, and photography is one of the ways to share this historic moment. It is within our power to take a fresh look at the might of our planet. For me “Genesis” is a tribute and dedication to our nature home”, — says Salgado.

Finally the residents and guests of St. Petersburg have the opportunity to connect with the majestic beauty of our planet. The exhibition of 245 photographs will run for three months at the New Wing of Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art.