The world from above: A new perspective on climate change
The Earth from above is a breathtaking sight, and it's a perspective that can reveal the most powerful truths about our planet. The new exhibition, Extinction: Renewal, Art of a Living Planet, at the Eden Project in Cornwall, England, showcases this unique viewpoint, offering a journey through time and space to explore the beauty and fragility of our world. But what makes this exhibition truly remarkable is the way it challenges our perceptions and encourages us to see the world in a new light.
The show brings together photography, film, and sculpture within four themed zones: Extinction, Climate, Community, and Renewal. It's a powerful statement on the state of our planet, and the role that art can play in raising awareness and inspiring action. But what makes this exhibition truly special is the way it encourages us to look at the world from a different angle.
One of the most striking aspects of the exhibition is the use of aerial photography. From Daniel Beltrá's shot of Iceland's Høvita River to Sebastião Salgado's awe-inspiring image of Alaska's Brooks Range, these photographs offer a unique perspective on the natural world. By capturing the beauty and complexity of our planet from above, these artists have created images that are both stunning and thought-provoking.
But what makes these photographs truly powerful is the way they challenge our perceptions. Paul Nicklen's drone shot of a polar bear crossing sea ice, for example, strips away the sentimentality and human-animal connection that we might expect from a ground-level view. Instead, it offers a clean, almost geometrical composition that emphasizes the bear's vulnerability against the vast forces of nature.
Richard Mosse takes this idea further with his shot of log barges from above. By using infrared to render the vegetation red and the water black, Mosse creates a powerful editorial statement that swaps objectivity for a clear message. This is not just a photograph, but a statement on the human impact on the environment, and the urgent need for action.
The lesson for photographers here is clear: whether you're shooting wildlife, landscapes, or other natural phenomena, there's often an argument for stepping back, up, and outwards from the detail. By seeing things from a wider perspective, you can tell an altogether different story, one that reveals larger patterns and deeper truths.
But this exhibition is not just about aesthetics or the use of drones. It's about pulling countless small details into a broader picture that reveals larger patterns and deeper truths. It's about providing solutions and a positive vision of the future, rather than just doom and gloom. And it's about encouraging us to see the world in a new light, to challenge our perceptions, and to take action.
In my opinion, this exhibition is a powerful statement on the state of our planet, and the role that art can play in raising awareness and inspiring action. It's a call to arms, a challenge to see the world in a new light, and a reminder of the beauty and fragility of our planet. So, if you're in Cornwall, England, this September, make sure you visit the Eden Project and experience the world from above for yourself. It's an experience that will leave you with a new perspective on the world, and a renewed sense of responsibility for its future.
