INSIGHT INTO POLLUTION BY FABRICE MONTEIRO

by Unknown - 05:04

Stemming from my initial research into the environment, pollution was a theme which interested me, especially the way that photography could demonstrate the huge effects it has on our environment and provide a strong environmental message. I decided to research into an artist who excelled in photographs with a strong message regarding pollution to gain ideas for my final piece.

His fantastic series of photos names "The Prophecy" demonstrate, through the use of highly decorated models, the effects which man has on the environment. The project was shot at ten locations in Senegal, features intricately costumed figures interacting with the highly -polluted surrounding scenery. I loved the surreal element to Monteiro's images and the high level of detail within each shot which made them very appealing to me.

Monteiro states "I grew up in Benin. When I got back to Senegal four years ago, I couldn’t believe how dirty it was. I realised that Africa had a serious, serious issue with environmental problems. So I thought I could do something, being a photographer, and I came up with the idea of mixing art and culture. " This perspective fits perfectly within my theme of the Environment and I found exploring his images gave me new ideas for my Topic of study.

Artist Images

The first image which drew me to the work of Fabrice Monteiro is the above photograph which was shot in Dakar’s Hann Bay. This beach was formerly one West Africa’s most beautiful stretches of sand, however, today it has become a polluted wasteland poisoned by blood running into the sea from a nearby slaughterhouse. The image is visually striking and depicts a deformed human creature emerging from the sea with the surrounding littered with animal parts, offal and blood. I like the artists use of shape in this image as we are drawn to the focal point of the shot by the long tentacles of the creature. The photo provides a strong message of the extreme potential consequences to the environment and the contrasts used within the image of the pale sand ruined by the dark running blood is clever as it highlights the environmental issue which is being addressed.

The above second image again displays a very hard hitting theme. This time the artist is concentrating on deforestation and the destruction of woodland and pastures which is taking place in this area, mostly due to human error. This photograph was taken in Tambacounda in the South of Senegal and features a lone female form, dressed to represent a tree. She stands at the center of a bush fire holding up foliage in the air to protect it from the flames. I like the composition of this shot and the lush leaves that she is holding a lovely contrast to the lifeless forest in the background. The fires give another element to the photo and light up the surrounding forest enabling us to see the damage caused and giving us better depth of field. I liked the detail in the woman's costume which gave the impression of her rooted to the spot and her extending arm being one of her last remaining branches.

The above third photograph was taken in a completely different, more urban environment, however, the strong message regarding the destruction of our environment is still strongly apparent. This time the subject stands next to a road and as the truck passes, a cloud of dust is emitted from the wheels. I think this image is very dramatic as the traditional dress of the African figure is highly contrasts against the modern truck and the figure covers the face as if they are almost choking. I think the use of colour in this shot is also very effective and the brightly coloured yellow truck is very obvious, giving us no doubt as to where the focal point of the image should be. We are drawn immediately to the underlying purpose of the photograph and I admired Monteiro's ability to engage the viewer so effectively. I will think about this when composing my own shots, trying to ensure the environmental theme is not lost.

My own photographs

The above photograph was shot on my family's farm whilst exploring the theme of pipes and what runs from them as a cause of polluting the environment. Based on my initial delve into oil as a pollutant, I decided to take this further and progress my first images by adding a focal point (a pipe) to my shot to create a cause and effect style similar to that of Fabrice Monteiro. I liked this image and I again chose to enhance the colours of my photograph which highlighted the slick of oil togather with creating a strong environmental theme thought the displaying of vivid green moss. I liked the composition of this photo much better than those taken previously and felt it was dramatic and memorable to those who viewed it.

Whilst out walking near Grinshill, I noticed smoke coming from someones garden and this started my mind thinking about how we dispose of our waste in today's society and how this affects the environment we live in. The plumes of smoke emerging from the landscape I thought portrayed a strong message, similar to those Fabrice Monteiro was trying to achieve regarding the way human beings pollute their environments. I liked the background of the lush green fields which was an effective backdrop to highlight the white smoke rising into the atmosphere. The photograph was taken at a distance and I think that the image could have neen improved if I was able to take a similar type of shot at closer range. I think I would then be able to gain better definition within the smoke plumes and possibly be able to see the natural backdrop though this smoke. I will investigate this idea further.

Continuing with the theme of fire being used as a means of disposal, I began experimenting with burning a small amount of my own waste and investigating the affects that fire had on different materials. I chose, paper, plastic, cardboard and tin for the above image and selected a plastic bag with an environmental image of a tree to try and enhance my shot and it's environmental message. I liked the contrasts of the green plastic against the grey ash and found this visually pleasing. The small plant protruding through the debris, although accidental, worked excellently and was a great contrast to the human litter.

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