After a series of crisis, from the economic to the pandemic, it is evident that humanity and its way of living on planet need to be reflected upon.
By engaging with the present and current developments, reflecting our relationship with society, the visual-research Human domination on Earth opens a dialogue and asks fundamental questions about the transformation we are living.
The narrative portrays the contemporary landscape, the current transformation as the green-energy technological acceleration – which is leading the carbon intensive energy era to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future – and landscapes in which some are threaten by humans actions while others are still protect thanks to those who has being fighting for a better environment.
Some images – as the ‘PV Floating technology’ which has been exhibited and seen as ‘Hope for the future’ at the Science and Industry museum of Manchester – represents science, a discipline that can help identify new options and strategies for limiting the climate change.
By reading the narrative Human domination on Earth, it reveals realities as the territory of Serra d’Arga which is today under threat of possible exploration of lithium. But thanks to popular protests, environmentalist associations, the Movimento SOS Serra d’Arga and political-activists, Serra d’arga is still being protected.
This research makes the best possible to portray humans influence in the planet – in positive and negative aspects. It portrays stories that give a more hopeful tone and stories of landscapes where some are threaten but others are still protected thanks to significant actions that help us achieve a better world.
How is our state of mind relating with the quickly current environment transformation? Our planet is changing faster than we can perceive and this research portrays this symbolic moment of transition, the so called phase of Great transition.
It is focusing on visual content of the landscapes which are never constant but change over time with population growth, the rise of the cities to the current post-modern landscapes.
Karina Castro (Portuguese, b.1990) is a visual artist and photographer based in Milan, Italy.
Her practice focuses on the conditions of the territory socio-political issues and architecture, prompting a dialogue about the current environment circumstances.
She is the recipient of the European talent of 2021, the curation of New European Photography done by Gup Magazine. Her works have been shown nationally and internationally including the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester curated by the Royal Photographic Society, the Royal Geographical Society in London and have been published in different books and magazines. Over the years she has carried out visual research and editorial projects, collaborating with institutions, publishers and architects.
© text and pictures by Karina Castro
