This weekend, the Galerie Ruines, located in the heart of Eaux-Vives in Geneva, is hosting the exhibition “Wild as the Wolf” by Claire Galloni d’Istria, photographer and anthropologist. Through a series of 20 black and white photos, the artist invites us to reflect on the complex relationships between man and this fascinating animal. She was my guest.
“The wolf is an animal that we never stop talking about. It carries a strong symbolism, that of the wild, but also a mirror for our own behavior,” explains Claire Galloni d’Istria. This exhibition does not seek to provide clear-cut answers on the place of the wolf in Europe, but rather to question our perceptions. Between myths and realities, the photos transport visitors to timeless Alpine landscapes, where the presence of the wolf is both suggested and absent.
An intimate but never solitary work
Some photos capture majestic mountains, such as the Argentière and Trient glaciers, but without visible traces of man or wolf. “It’s a deliberate contrast,” underlines the artist. “These places, which we imagine to be wild, are in reality marked by the human footprint: cable cars, car parks, helicopters. » The objective is to question the very concept of wild nature in a world where each space seems shared between man and animal.
The exhibition is also a family adventure. Some photos were taken by Claire Galloni’s son from Istria, offering a complementary look. “It’s my way of thanking him for these years when he accompanied me in the field,” confides the photographer.
A fruitful marriage
In addition to his visual work, the profession of anthropologist plays a role in the exhibition. “The image is not just a tool to illustrate a story, it is a research partner. It allows us to construct stories and nourish reflection on our interactions with the wild,” she explains. One of his emblematic works, a blurred photo which gradually blurs, illustrates this gray zone where the boundaries between man and animal disappear.
The exhibition also explores the myth of the werewolf. “This figure symbolizes metamorphosis and transgressions, omnipresent themes in Alpine stories,” notes the artist. This link between folklore and anthropology enriches the visitor experience, recalls Claire Galloni d’Istria.
To see this weekend or this summer
The “Wild as the Wolf” exhibition is open until this Sunday at the Galerie Ruines, Rue des Vollandes in Geneva, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. A unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a universe where nature, culture and mythology meet.
Claire Galloni d’Istria promises new exhibitions to come, notably in 2026 at the Bagne museum and this summer at the Biennale. An event not to be missed for all lovers of Alpine stories and wild symbolism.
© Claire Galloni of Istria
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