René Groebli

Eye of Love #531, 1952

1952

Signed and numbered 'AP' in pencil. Limited edition of 2 AP. Printed 2018. On japanese Gampi.

"The moment you hit the water, you’re overcome by a profound sense of nothingness. At times, it feels almost like vertigo as you try to orient yourself. When you look down and around...

"Desperate times call for desperate measures. The formation of a bait ball is a last-ditch effort for survival. But for many herring, this will be their final dance, swimming in tan...

"The word “rhapsody” originates from the Greek rhaptein, meaning “to stitch or sew,” and ōidē, meaning “song” or “poetry.” Translated literally, it signifies a stitched-together song...

"Life at the top isn’t always easy, especially for those not accustomed to it. Head north—far north—from Oslo, and you’ll be greeted by conditions that are anything but hospitable. ...

"Shinto is Japan’s oldest religion, with origins dating back to the tail end of the Stone Age. While many Japanese people do not consider themselves religious, a large percentage of the population still follows Shinto ideas today. You don’t have to venture far in the country to find one of its 80,000 shrines. They stand tall in quiet forests, over the water along the island’s coasts, and above rice fields. Shinto was not born from a specific founder or religious scripture—it lives within the people. It is not a defining characteristic—rather, it is a part of life. Personal virtues are emphasized over strict rituals or rules. Benevolence, harmony, courage, and gratitude all support the key theme of Shinto: the concept of purity, or harae. The religion holds that humans are inherently good and should cleanse themselves of moral and spiritual impurities. Followers strive to achieve makoto no kokoro—a heart of truth. You will see a version of this ritual at the entrance of shrines. Visitors gather at a water basin and use a wooden ladle to pour water over each of their hands. It's fitting that some of Japan’s animal residents appear to find their own quiet form of renewal in the mountains. For centuries, monkeys have appeared in Japanese folklore with a variety of meanings. They have been used as metaphors for tricksters and the negative traits of humans, but they have also served as sacred messengers to the gods. On this rainy morning in northern Japan, I observed macaques who seemed to embody both roles. There were the raucous individuals—screeching, pulling hair, and chasing others beside the hot springs—falling...

"At over 70 feet in length, you might think it would be difficult to photobomb. This fin whale proved that size is just a number. During an early morning briefing along Norway’s no...

"“You had a once-in-a-year day today.” Wildlife experiences tend to be easier to describe in feelings than in frequency. Even then, I often find myself taking days, months, or even ...

"Shinto is Japan’s oldest religion, with origins dating back to the tail end of the Stone Age. While many Japanese people do not consider themselves religious, a large percentage of the population still follows Shinto ideas today. You don’t have to venture far in the country to find one of its 80,000 shrines. They stand tall in quiet forests, over the water along the island’s coasts, and above rice fields. Shinto was not born from a specific founder or religious scripture—it lives within the people. It is not a defining characteristic—rather, it is a part of life. Personal virtues are emphasized over strict rituals or rules. Benevolence, harmony, courage, and gratitude all support the key theme of Shinto: the concept of purity, or harae. The religion holds that humans are inherently good and should cleanse themselves of moral and spiritual impurities. Followers strive to achieve makoto no kokoro—a heart of truth. You will see a version of this ritual at the entrance of shrines. Visitors gather at a water basin and use a wooden ladle to pour water over each of their hands. It's fitting that some of Japan’s animal residents appear to find their own quiet form of renewal in the mountains. For centuries, monkeys have appeared in Japanese folklore with a variety of meanings. They have been used as metaphors for tricksters and the negative traits of humans, but they have also served as sacred messengers to the gods. On this rainy morning in northern Japan, I observed macaques who seemed to embody both roles. There were the raucous individuals—screeching, pulling hair, and chasing others beside the hot springs—falling...

"It’s said that we are made of “star stuff.” Most of the elements that compose all living things on Earth are the same ones released by exploding stars billions of years ago. A tidb...