Salt of the Earth: A Visual Odyssey of a Transforming Landscape

Hardcover 9.5 x 12 inches - horizontal 108 pages 96 color illustrations ISBN 978-3-96900-125-7 2023 Texts: John Hart, Michael Honegger, Laura Noble, Elliott White Jr. Design: Bob Aufuldish Published by Kehrer Verlag, Germany Salt of the Earth is a striking monograph, which skillfully captures humanity’s impact on the environment. From ground-level perspectives to aerial shots, Barbara Boissevain’s unique compositions of industrial salt ponds, accentuate the surreal qualities of landscapes altered by human activity. The artist’s intention extends beyond crafting captivating visuals; her work seeks to raise awareness of pressing environmental concerns and inspire engagement in conservation- related activism. Boissevain’s photographs of otherworldly landscapes compel us to reflect on the delicate balance between creation and devastation. Her powerful imagery challenges viewers to reassess their role in shaping Earth’s future, ultimately urging us to confront the consequences of our actions and actively participate in preserving the environment for generations to come. Barbara Boissevain is a contemporary visual artist and photographer whose work focuses on the impact of human activity on the environment. Boissevain studied painting at Parsons School of Design in New York before immersing herself in photography, earning a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and an MFA from San Jose State University. Her work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States and Europe, including Mémoire De L’Avenir, Paris; the Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, CA; Galerie Numero Cinq, Arles, France; the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, Poland; and the David Brower Institute in Berkeley, CA. Boissevain’s photographs are in public and private collections, including the Google Corporate Art Collection, Sunnyvale, CA; De Pietri Artphilein Foundation, Lugano, Switzerland; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and Galerie Huit, Arles, France.