CHILL OF THE NIGHT
This image reveals a different facet of scenic beauty: not the scorching heat of a desert, but the cold, haunting stillness of a frozen world. While many associate “desert” with sand dunes and pyramids, this piece draws attention to the often-underappreciated cold deserts – arid, sparsely vegetated areas where temperatures frequently plummet below freezing.
The definition of a desert hinges on low precipitation, not temperature. Thus, the Katpana Desert in Pakistan (reaching –20°C in winter) or the Gobi Desert (China/Mongolia, the sixth largest globally) fall into this category. The body paint here embodies elemental power: pale, icy hues symbolize the frozen sea, while sharp lines echo the rugged beauty of frozen glaciers. It’s a striking appeal to the Earth’s diversity – and to its relentless beauty, wherever one looks.
