"The living creature in front of me surpasses in age all the generations that once carried my last name.

The forest to which it belongs is infinitely older than the beginning of the species to which I belong.

I visit this place and initially pretend to feel like I am the protagonist of my universe, but the truth is that I am no more than a fleeting whisper, a distant breeze that passes between these ancient branches.

I surrender to the path while the fog thickens, transforming the place into tales of dreams and mystery. Slowly the body disappears and merges into the memories of this place without time.

In silent dissolution, everything becomes present and eternal…”

Location: Fanal Forest, UNESCO World Heritage Site

This image is part of the “Fanal Forest - Ancient Wonders” limited 1/1 series.

Story:
It is perfectly common to feel overwhelmed when we are standing in front of fragments of our own history, in the shape of monuments, sculptures, paintings and other relics. In a way, these objects transport us to distant times, triggering our imagination and creating a solid conscience on our inside that we are just a spark in time, part of a common thread of humankind and its creations.

Curiously, we also have an innate desire to watch creations that do not need our intervention, and with time we learn to contemplate in awe the wonders of Nature, surprising us with their complexity and intricate details, showing attributes of beauty where it’s hard to accept the absence of a purpose.

The Forest of Fanal is one of such places, filled with centennial Til trees, whose arms twist and multiply while trying to reach for the heavens, with ferns, fungus and all sorts of natural elements growing from them, in a noble equilibrium which lasts for centuries. Located at several hundred meters of height, this place is frequently covered in intense fog during certain times of the year, creating the perfect and unique atmospheric conditions which allow for the rare existence of this specific flora, allowing us to contemplate these remarkable sculptures of nature which are capable of transcending our own finite notions of mortality, showing us in a such a strong way that we are an integral part of ecosystems filled with endless richness.

Fanal Forest is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Laurissilva Forest of Madeira, an outstanding relic of a previously widespread laurel forest type. It is the largest surviving area of laurel forest and is believed to be 90% primary forest, similar to the flora of millions of years ago.

Collector will get:

• 1/1 NFT token, minted on own Manifold Smart Contract, fully certifying provenance and exclusive ownership of this artwork through blockchain technology

• Fine art physical print upon request

• High resolution “tiff” and/or “jpeg” file for personal use

• Special access to future releases. I fully believe in a symbiotic relationship with all my collectors, hoping to establish an everlasting and meaningful connection for the future