Symbiosis is the culmination of several years of reflection and development around the idea of the unity of life and climate change. The work explores the intimate relationship between humans and coral, two life forms whose destinies are inextricably linked. Through a digital photograph, I merged the image of a human face with the organic forms of coral, symbolizing this symbiosis. This superimposed montage reveals a chimeric creature, blending human and coral characteristics, to illustrate the continuity and interdependence of living species.
Direct printing on brushed aluminum creates a play of natural reflections that evokes the fluidity and fragility of life, while highlighting the vulnerability of corals to environmental changes. This modern material also reflects the tension between the ephemeral and the permanent, a duality shared by humans and coral reefs.
On Symbiose, I added the climate change bands developed by scientist Ed Hawkins, a visual representation of the increase in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution. Inspired by their scientific nomenclature, I reworked these bands using acrylic paint applied with a palette knife, making them more aesthetically pleasing and accessible. The gradual transition from blue to red symbolizes the direct impact of climate change on corals, which risk disappearing by 99% if warming reaches 2°C, according to projections in the latest IPCC report.
These visually striking strips add an educational dimension to the work, while retaining its emotional impact. They convey the urgency of the situation and remind us that marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs, are directly affected by rising global temperatures. But this threat doesn't stop at the oceans: humanity itself, dependent on biodiversity for survival, is also threatened. We share this planet, and our well-being is intrinsically linked to the health of ecosystems.
Created in a context where biodiversity loss and climate change are at the heart of global concerns, Symbiosis is a true representation of my artistic approach. Through this work, I seek to blend art and science to raise public awareness of these environmental issues. The visual fusion between humans and coral underscores that our survival depends on that of marine ecosystems, often considered distant but in reality vital to our shared future. We are all interdependent, and the destruction of coral reefs, like the loss of biodiversity, affects humanity as a whole.
The baroque frame, made using traditional and local methods, echoes a time when the human footprint on the planet was smaller, while also enhancing the visual contrasts of the work and highlighting the possible harmony between seemingly opposing elements.
Symbiosis perfectly illustrates my artistic approach, which seeks to translate scientific concepts into aesthetically pleasing and emotionally engaging visual works. By blending photography, painting, and science, I hope to awaken in the viewer a reflection on their role in preserving life, combating climate change, and recognizing our interdependence with biodiversity, which is essential to our own survival.
Artwork conceived and created with love in Lyon, France.
