Mountain landscapes and potato art
by James Brunker
Title
Mountain landscapes and potato art
Artist
James Brunker
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Varieties of potatoes spread out on the ground are a wonderful addition to the mountain landscapes of the Andes. This is done to make chuno or freeze dried potatoes, a common technique that has been used since ancient times in the central Andes to preserve potatoes for storage. The tubers are left outside in the middle of the winter dry season after harvest for 2-3 weeks. The combination of very strong high altitude sun, low humidity and bitterly cold nights gradually removes all moisture from the potatoes, meaning they can be stored for years. This image was taken at La Cumbre, the high pass where a main road crosses the Andes above La Paz, Bolivia and a popular area for making chuno. The plains near the pass have an altitude of around 4600m / 15,100ft and are ideal for the purpose.
Potatoes are native to Lake Titicaca area in the Andes of Peru and Bolivia. They were domesticated thousands of years ago and have long been an important staple for the people of the Andes, including the Incas and earlier civilisations. Over 4000 different types have been recorded in the region, there are a remarkable range of colors, sizes and shapes. I loved the way these ones had been neatly arranged by type, making a great patchwork of abstract shapes and curved lines, very photogenic and fun to play with!
Photograph © James Brunker. Reproduction, transmission or publication in any form without written permission strictly prohibited.
Uploaded
February 9th, 2022
Statistics
Viewed 400 Times - Last Visitor from Monmouth Junction, NJ on 04/14/2024 at 11:56 PM
Embed
Share
Sales Sheet
