Reflection

Reflection

As I was scrolling through my camera roll for ideas, a video of my sister skiing caught my attention. I was suddenly reminded of how the ski slopes were changing: the season had shortened; there was less snowfall; any snow we did have seemed to melt immediately; I could often discard my jacket due to the warmer days. These are the thoughts that inspired the creation of my piece. A tilted snowball contains a scene of a melting ski area. This snowball is supported by just two skis, as if it could collapse at any moment. On the outside of the snowball, factories and trains emit smoke and greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. The melting snowball leaves a puddle of water on the ground, where a child has abandoned their skiing equipment. One ski boot flies through the air as it tries to knock the factory down. Through my research, I learned that the ski industry itself is incredibly energy-intensive. Resorts use fossil fuels to power their ski lifts. Now, they are also increasingly relying on artificial snow. However, these snow-making machines require even more energy. Furthermore, artificial snow is harmful for the local wildlife. It contains chemicals that seep into the ground as it melts. During the process of creating my piece, I realized how unsustainable the skiing industry is for the health of our planet.