New Mexico State University (NMSU) has announced the acquisition of a photographic exhibition titled "Into the Great White Sands: Photographs by Craig Varjabedian" by its Archives and Special Collections department. The exhibition is currently on display in the Humboldt Casad and Evangeline Smith Mandell Gallery, located on the fourth floor of Branson Library.
The collection, Into the Great White Sands, presents a visual exploration of White Sands National Park in southern New Mexico. Situated in the arid Tularosa Basin beneath the San Andres mountain range, this park is renowned for its rippling dunes made of pure white gypsum. According to information provided on the Into the Great White Sands webpage from Craig Varjabedian's website, these photographs reveal the timeless beauty and vibrant colors of ever-changing White Sands, offering viewers an intriguing insight into the unique and diverse ecosystem of this remote region.
Varjabedian shared his personal connection with White Sands in a press release issued by NMSU. "White Sands first became this place that I went to rest and restore when work would become too intense," he said. "For me, the process of deciding on a body of work is really organic. As I look back at it now, when I first went to the Sands in the 1980s, I had yet to fall truly in love with the place. Of course, I thought it was incredibly beautiful, but I didn’t feel particularly compelled to photograph it at first. I came to find out much later that it really is like no other place on earth."
Dennis Daily, department head of NMSU Library’s Archives and Special Collections also spoke about Varjabedian's work in an NMSU press release. "While nearly everyone who has visited White Sands has taken photographs, Craig’s eye, enormous talent, and dedication to his long-term goal have produced a collection of images that is truly exceptional," Daily said. "We are glad that Craig felt strongly about making sure these images remain in the state of New Mexico and the area where they were produced, where they will be preserved and enjoyed for generations."
