"Y è pi de ten que de via (there is more time than life, from the Aosta Valley’s dialect) is a project that stems from the desire to tell the story of the strong bond that unites man, nature and time in my region, the Aosta Valley."
Artist: Greta Valente
Project: Y è pi de ten que de via
"The narrative focuses on the relationship that combines the wild and suspended time, two factors that forge every person born in this land. In every street, home and office there is a reminder regarding the hard-to-reach peaks, the always feared but cared-for wolf and the mountain animals, daily photographed and documented but never approached to avoid contaminating their condition of freedom.
The study of this thin line between man and nature is passed on by the people who breathe the icy air of these places. Nature cares for the inhabitants of the valley in the same way that many parents educate their children, with the right distance to let them make mistakes and learn, but always providing a safe haven to return to in case of need.
A culture that, if well observed and told by the people who inhabit this area and whom I had the opportunity to meet, is difficult to ignore."
"All the stuffed animals that are visible in the pictures are at the Department of Flora and Fauna of the Valle d'Aosta region, with which I have been able to collaborate on permits to photograph at CRAS (Centro Recupero Animali Selvaggi). All of these animals died of natural causes, were either found lifeless or rescued by the forest ranger, taken to CRAS and unfortunately did not survive despite the care of the vets and specialised personnel in charge of them.
Photographing this situation was a fundamental key to making people understand the need to surround themselves with this wild nature, always remaining respectful of it and doing everything possible to help the animals that populate these mountains.
So in essence stuffed animals are also exhibited and preserved for a cultural and biodiversity study, as well as for a sentimental and affective issue towards the species or the specific specimen."
© Greta Valente