Back to Nature: Marc Progin

The world has been in lockdown due to the ongoing pandemic and longing for connection to other human beings, animals and the earth as well as a strong pull towards working the land and rural living is emerging everywhere. This has been a time for re-evaluating many of the basic elements we accept to be ‘normal life.’ The global anxiety caused by climate change and the daily destruction and suffering being witnessed en masse results the questions being asked about modern existence and consumption are ever louder and more urgent. These sentiments echo Progin’s personal call toward Mongolia and his subsequent photographic work and written prose act as an antidote to the chaos around us. Listening to the wisdom of the still-living ancient tribes and cultures offers guidance in times where action appears meaningless. Art and Nature have the ability to heal and to enlighten and this exhibition is deeply tuning-in to both.

Back to Naturemarks Progin’s first solo show with Blue Lotus Gallery with a selection of fine art prints spanning a period of shooting in Mongolia between 2007-2019. Half the works are completely unseen and even two photographs have been selected as a special preview for his new body of work titled ‘Cretaceous’ set to be premiered in 2021.

Back to Nature is to be where nothing else counts and exists than the moment

and the place where you are;

where an hour lasts a full day, where pollution is an unknown word;

it is to be in a vast land of exceptional quality

that has remained as natural as it was at in the beginnings of time,

where man is rarely seen,

where the air is odourless,

the rain a beverage

and the celestial bodies companions.

Once you are there, there is no 'elsewhere', only a horizon beyond which you don’t want to see.

Back to nature is a photographic journey through Mongolia, with Marc Progin, that bypasses the walls of societies and the cities to enlarge our horizon and reconnect with the 3 worlds that are the sky, the earth and nature. It is at the same time while travelling in open space, to enter your inner self; to discover the beauties of nature and awaken those who sleep in you. It is to find the human essence, from where we came from and to give a reason to our life, learn for what else we are on earth than to live.

Travelling the seasons, across the deserts, the mountains and the Steppe, you will meet on the way with nomads, the wildlife, migrating birds, the hunters and ride on camel or horse back along with their caravans.

To sum up, Back to Natureis meant to start your mother clock,

the one that nature had given you at birth.

Have a nice journey.