The oval pool of water in The Subway – North Creek converses with the tunnel, implying a similar shape between the canyon pool in the foreground and the sliver of light in the midground. Even some of the variation in the canyon walls seems circular. The Subway speaks to form and repetition in conjunction with the almost obnoxious vibrancy of the piece which leans it into an unreal space separated from something concrete. Muench does not provide a view out of the slot canyon, curbing the human instinct to find an exit and forcing the viewer to remain still and in the moment.
The ground appears wet; water on the rocks catches the light, emphasizing the uneven terrain. Zion National Park is prone to flash flooding, which is a significant risk in the The Subway slot canyon. The water here serves as a reminder of the constant change brought by floods despite the solidness of rock. The Subway as depicted in this photograph is not the Subway one would encounter in Utah today, nor the one that will exist in another 30 years.
The Subway – North Creek complements Rainpool – Waterholes Canyon, the only two predominantly cool toned images in the exhibit. They also mimic each other’s form and feel, with mesmerizing pools of water and winding rock structures.
Taken in the Left Fork of the North Creek at Zion National Park, Utah.