21 Apr Mountainfilm 2024: “The Future of Exploration” by Terry Garcia & Chris Rainier!
Among Mountainfilm 2024’s guest speakers are Terry Garcia and Chris Rainier, both returning Telluride regulars over Memorial Weekend, this year May 23 – May 27. The duo will be discussing their latest collaboration, a book titled “The Future of Exploration,” and more.
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And please scroll down to listen to our podcast with Chris Rainier, who will also talk about the mission of his Cultural Sanctuaries Foundation.
In 1492, Columbus rediscovered America, a date which marked the beginning of what came to be known as the Age of Exploration, which stretched from the 15th century to the 17th century. Back then, European exploration and colonization was driven by the 3 Gs: Gold, Glory and God. That period of time would permanently alter the world, for one thing transforming geography into the modern science it is today.
Explorers learned about exotic places such as Africa and the Americas and brought that knowledge back home to Europe. Mapping and navigation improved. New foods, plants and animals were discovered and exchanged between new colonies and home base. But there were many downsides including the fact indigenous people fell victim to disease, overwork and massacres and the need to support sprawling plantations in the New World led to the slave trade, ramifications still redounding today.
Technological advances and a growing knowledge of the larger world, which made travel be sea easier, ended the Age of Exploration – sort of. Exploration was not actually dead in the waters as it were. Eastern Australia was not officially claimed for Britain by Captain James Cook until 1770; much of the Arctic and Antarctic were not explored until the 20th century. Most of Africa was also unexplored by Westerners until the late 19th century and early 20th century.
And now? Let’s fast forward…
Coming soon to Mountainfilm 2024 is the story of “The Future of Exploration: Discovering Frontiers of Science, Technology and Human Potential.” The book was the brainchild of Mountainfilm returning guests, former National Geographic Executive Vice President and Chief Science Office, Terry Garcia, and cultural photographer, Chris Rainier, a National Geographic Explorer. Their beautiful pas de deux is the result of insights from their 40+ year careers exploring the world and interacting with our planet’s change-makers, including some of the most renowned and respected explorers, scientists, astronauts, visionaries, thinkers, and authors.
Quoting one review:
“At this very moment, explorers in some of the most remote and dangerous places on earth, from the deepest parts of the ocean, to the highest mountains, and to outer space are enduring unimaginable hardships to expand our knowledge and save what is truly important…some of the world’s most renowned and respected explorers, scientists, astronauts, visionaries, thinkers, and authors as they discuss and share their insights about what motivates them, what is left to explore, and why we should care…”
Accompanied by Rainier’s awe-inspiring photography, each contributor – the book features 35+ top explorers, some brand names such as Yvon Chouinard, a co-founder of Mountainfilm, and Wade Davis, this year’s guest director, as well as emerging talent – who share their personal achievements and insights into what the future of exploration could look like in their respective fields, the challenges we face, and possible solutions.
“Exploration is as old as humankind, but there are still surprises that await us. With technology opening doors that once seemed permanently closed, the twenty-first century will be the greatest age of exploration in our history…,” continues the review.
Note: Terry and Chris decided to donate profits from the sales of “The Future of Exploration” to early-career field scientists, explorers and conservationists in pursuit of innovative projects across a wide range of disciplines on earth, in space, and at sea.
For more, listen to our podcast with Chris Rainier, a self-described visual storyteller, whose principal medium is the camera.
Chris Rainier, courtesy of Mountainfilm.
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