"CORAL is a tribute to coral as an ecosystem essential to our survival."
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Photo book - Hemeria Edition

CORAL tells the story of the rebirth of an Indonesian fishing village. Having become active participants in the restoration of the coral reefs that surround them, they are now the guardians of their resources. Through the staging of powerful, often spectacular images, this first book by Martin Colognoli, whose approach oscillates between documentary and artistic, is an ode to the defense of biodiversity and a tribute to coral as an ecosystem essential to our survival.

What is the coral book?
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The photographic book CORAL is an immersion into the fragile world of coral and the communities that depend on it. It bears witness to solidarity, respect, and the connection to all living things. A world that is at once raw, real, and dreamlike, truly wondrous. This book thus lies somewhere between art and documentary.

Through the staging of powerful, often spectacular images, the French photographer launches a call to action to safeguard these iconic ecosystems through an artistic report that retraces six years of fieldwork. It is an ode to the defense of biodiversity and a tribute to coral as an ecosystem essential to our survival.

Prefaced by
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CORAIL has the honor of having a preface written by two prestigious personalities: Charlie Véron and Denis Allemand.

Charlie Veron, or "the godfather of coral," born in Sydney in 1945, is an Australian biologist specializing in the study of corals and their reefs. He has named approximately 20% of the world's coral reefs and discovered and delineated the "Coral Triangle." Charlie Veron is also an environmental activist.

Denis Allemand is a university professor of animal biology and scientific director of the Monaco Scientific Centre. His main research area concerns the physiology of marine organisms, primarily corals, and their use as model organisms to understand major problems in biology (biomineralization, symbiosis, aging, etc.).

Available in bookstores and on the publisher HEMERIA's website.
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Based on Martin Colognoli's original idea, a team of professionals (art direction, publishing house, writing, printing…) were able to prioritize the image.

Firstly, by choosing a large portrait format of 34 cm by 25.5 cm with 156 pages, a rigid cover printed in screen printing, and beautiful paper that feels pleasant to the touch.

The exhibition alternates between spectacular photographs of coral (living, dead, and revived), portraits, and more abstract, contemplative black and white photographs. It showcases all dimensions of Martin Colognoli's photographic work: both a desire to bear witness and a wish to offer a more artistic work that aims to elevate the coral.

A book is printed in France after a year of collective work, sold at a unit price of €59 in bookstores or on the publisher HEMERIA's website!

Coral Guardian
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Co-founded by Martin Colognoli in 2012, Coral Guardian is a French international solidarity association working to conserve coral ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Its aim is to involve local communities in the restoration, protection, and enhancement of coral ecosystems, which are degraded locally by human pressures.

CORAL GUARDIAN

PRODUCTION & PRINTING
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The publishing house Hemeria has partnered with Printmodel®️ for the production of its books, and the book will benefit from the excellence of their unique know-how in the reproduction of images on printed media, with tailor-made choices of paper, printing technology and enhancements (screen printing, marking).

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
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Printmodel uses only high-quality materials, including paper sourced from sustainably managed forests and produced in accordance with FSC and PEFC standards, to minimize its environmental impact. The CORAIL project will participate in the reforestACTION program: for every book purchased, a tree is planted.