"Coral Triangles" is a work based on a black and white photograph of a coral reef that I had the opportunity to take in Indonesia, in the Coral Triangle region, one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. This digital photograph, printed on brushed aluminum, clearly shows the visual and textural essence of coral and its constructive power.
In this image, I painted three fluorescent green triangles, a direct reference to the Coral Triangle, an area in the Pacific Ocean that is home to approximately 76% of known coral species and a quarter of all known marine life. The three triangles, painted with fluorescent acrylic, cover about 10-20% of the photograph's surface to illustrate an alarming scientific fact: by 2030, only 10% to 20% of coral reefs may still be alive if climate change and ocean pollution continue at their current rate, according to the latest IPBES report and researchers like Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, a coral reef specialist and author of numerous studies on their decline in the face of climate change.
The triangles painted in fluorescent green are reminiscent not only of the bright color that some corals adopt to protect themselves from the sun's UV rays, but also of the fundamental role of these corals in the marine ecosystem.
"Biodiversity" is a work that combines art and science to raise awareness of the global ecological crisis. The choice of printing on brushed aluminum allows for playing with light reflections, reinforcing the organic and vibrant nature of the image. By layering painted elements with strong geometric shapes, I create a contrast between the fragility of coral and the urgency of clear and immediate action.
The fluorescent green triangles, while visually dominant, cover only a small portion of the image, reflecting the scientific reality that only a small fraction of coral reefs will survive in the coming decades if no action is taken. This juxtaposition of abstract art and science draws attention to the figures and facts while also engaging the viewer emotionally.
The artwork "Biodiversity" was conceived in the context of raising awareness about the loss of marine biodiversity. It echoes the conclusions of the latest IPBES report, which warns that coral reefs, despite their essential role for marine and human life, are on the verge of collapse due to human activities and climate change. The report emphasizes that, if current trends continue, most coral reefs will have disappeared by the end of the century, directly threatening millions of species and hundreds of millions of people who depend on these ecosystems.
"Biodiversity" is a work that reflects my artistic approach, at the crossroads of art and science. It aims to raise awareness of the fragility of coral reefs and the urgent need to protect this natural treasure. By combining photography, painting, and scientific references, I hope not only to inform but also to move viewers, demonstrating that human survival is intrinsically linked to that of biodiversity. This work is a call to action to preserve what remains of the diversity of life on Earth.
