Many of the rules that dictate art–shape, color, motion–also rule our planet. Awesome in the truest sense of “awe,” these elements can be all at once complex, volatile and beautiful. Forces of Nature, a PBS and BBC co-production which premieres in the U.S. on Wednesday, September 14, 2016, at 8:00 p.m. ET., will give viewers a deeper glimpse into art such as this.
In four episodes, the documentary series will explore how natural elements paint how we understand the world. It will reveal how Earth’s wondrous sights, global communities, and even how insect habitats are created by the forces of the universe. Exploring motion, shapes and colors, the series connects things like snowflakes and the largest human-made towers to the laws of science and nature. Here, select stills from the documentary take us from Florida’s coastline to Papua, New Guinea, inside of a volcano, to the icy seas of Greenland and beyond.
Maasai Face Painting
The Maasai women paint their faces with the ochre that they have collected. From the Forces of Nature “Elements” episode, premiering September 21, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. ET on PBS.
Before The Human Tower
A team from the town of Vilafranca del Penedès in Catalonia, prepare to build a human tower by creating a circular base in the Concurs de Castells competition in Tarragona, Spain. From the Forces of Nature “Shape” episode, premiering September 14, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. ET on PBS.
Celebrating Sing Sing
Papua, New Guinea residents dressed for the Sing Sing, a ceremony in which the traditional costume is made up of feathers from Birds of Paradise. From the Forces of Nature “Colors” episode, premiering September 28, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. ET on PBS.
Treacherous Climb
Alpine ibex cling to the Cingino Dam as they lick the minerals and salts off the rocks, left behind by water seeping through the dam wall. From the Forces of Nature “Elements” episode, premiering September 21, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. ET on PBS.
Surfing The River Amazon
Sergiñho Laus surfs the Pororoca on the River Amazon, one of the largest tidal bores in the world. From the Forces of Nature “Motion” episode, premiering October 5, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. ET on PBS.
Florida’s Manatees
Manatees gather near the warm water outlet of a power station in Florida, USA. From the Forces of Nature “Shape” episode, premiering September 14, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. ET on PBS.
Searching For Greener Grass
The wife of a Tanzanian cattle farmer, Nura Kapooni, must stay behind to look after those too young or too old while her husband makes a trip across the Serengeti in search of green grass. From the Forces of Nature “Colors” episode, premiering September 28, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. ET on PBS.
Inside a Volcano
Workers of the sulphur mine within the Kawah Ijen volcano in Indonesia battle to put out the blue flames of burning sulphur. From the Forces of Nature “Elements” episode, premiering September 21, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. ET on PBS.
Greenland’s Sea-Ice
Michael Christienson and his son Malik head out onto the sea-ice near Tasiilaq, Greenland. From the Forces of Nature “Motion” episode, premiering October 5, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. ET on PBS.
Racing In Sardinia
A rider struggles to keep his horse under control in the Ardia, a traditional, annual race through the streets in Sedilo, Sardinia, Italy. From the Forces of Nature “Motion” episode, premiering October 5, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. ET on PBS.
