Divinity School unveils nature photography Creation Wall

 

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- The burnt orange hues of Antelope Canyon in Arizona, mountain reflections in Germany’s pristine Lake Sylvenstein, and the billowing, star-studded clouds of Orion’s Horsehead Nebula – these are among 14 breath-taking photos installed along a lobby wall greeting those who enter La Sierra University’s La Sierra Hall, home of the H.M.S. Richards Divinity School.

The newly installed Creation Wall in the lobby of the H.M.S. Richards Divinity School, comprised of photographs of natural landscapes and the night sky by Divinity School Dean and photographer Friedbert Ninow.

The newly installed Creation Wall in the lobby of the H.M.S. Richards Divinity School, comprised of photographs of natural landscapes and the night sky by Divinity School Dean and photographer Friedbert Ninow.

Dr. Friedbert Ninow gives an overview on Nov. 7 of the Creation Wall, its inspiration, and the photographs displayed.

Dr. Friedbert Ninow gives an overview on Nov. 7 of the Creation Wall, its inspiration, and the photographs displayed.

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The photographic Creation Wall stands opposite a large mural painting inside of a glass-walled meeting room depicting Jesus and the last supper.

The photographic Creation Wall stands opposite a large mural painting inside of a glass-walled meeting room depicting Jesus and the last supper.

Left to right, Divinity School staff and faculty, Robert Roth, administrative assistant; Dean Friedbert Ninow; Associate Professor of Practical Theology Maury Jackson; and Associate Professor of Ethics and Philosophy Ronald Osborn.

Left to right, Divinity School staff and faculty, Robert Roth, administrative assistant; Dean Friedbert Ninow; Associate Professor of Practical Theology Maury Jackson; and Associate Professor of Ethics and Philosophy Ronald Osborn.

Called the Creation Wall, it is the conceptualization of Divinity School Dean Freidbert Ninow, an avid amateur photographer who desired to commemorate the Creator’s work through a wide-ranging display of photographs from among hundreds taken over the past three years -- they represent just a tiny fraction of tens of thousands Ninow has taken over a lifetime. The Creation Wall photos depict in vivid color various exquisite natural scenes, including celestial realms captured through astrophotography.

On Nov. 7, the Divinity School unveiled and dedicated the Creation Wall installation. The photographic montage stands opposite a glass-walled meeting room where a large mural depicting Jesus and the last supper is displayed.

A handout for the unveiling that gives information for the photographs describes the wall’s purpose. “We believe that this world we live in, the world around us, and the world beyond our reach has been called into existence by a gracious God. …As you enter the La Sierra Hall lobby, this Creation Wall stands juxtaposed to the wall to your left which reminds us of God our Redeemer in the Eucharist. God’s grace in creation and redemption,” the statement reads.

Orion's Horsehead Nebula, photographed by H.M.S. Richards Divinity School Dean Friedbert Ninow.

“This wall was empty. So two years ago or so, I got the idea since I have a hobby called photography to create what I will call the Creation Wall,” Ninow said to those who gathered for the unveiling event. “I placed some of my photo work here and tried to honor God’s creation by doing this.”

“This is also exciting for me because I haven’t seen it before this moment,” said La Sierra University President Joy Fehr who attended the ceremony. “To realize the ways in which God works in our lives from the very beginning through to the gift of life eternal as is illustrated here is amazing.”

An image from the Elbsandsteingebirge in East Germany, by Friedbert Ninow.

A Super Bloom of wildflowers photographed by Friedbert Ninow in Walker Canyon, Lake Elsinore, Calif.

The process of choosing photos for the wall took longer than Ninow anticipated. “I didn’t want to do seven days [of creation] and seven photos, but to really express my appreciation for creation through the work I do,” he said.

Ninow’s interests in photography were piqued in adolescence when he began shooting landscapes and portraits. Many years later he encountered astrophotography through the influence of a friend -- Ninow delved into a whole different photographic world that required a telescope, a tracking mount, a steep learning curve with computer programs and loads of patience. A feature story in the Fall 2021 La Sierra University alumni magazine documents his journey into this photographic dimension.

In fact the initial concept for a photographic commemoration of God’s creation of the world was inspired through his work in astrophotography, Ninow said, “noticing the vast spaces and the awe of what is out there.”

Friedbert Ninow captures a starry night sky over the The Wave sandstone rock formation in Arizona.

Antelope Canyon, Arizona, photographed by Friedbert Ninow.

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