Symbiose is the result of several years of reflection and maturation around the idea of the unity of life and global warming. The work explores the intimate relationship between humans and coral, two forms of life whose destinies are inextricably linked. Through a digital photograph, I merged the image of a human face with the organic forms of a coral, symbolizing this symbiosis. This superimposed montage reveals a chimerical creature, mixing 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 allows to reflect the tension between the ephemeral and the permanent, a duality shared by humans and coral reefs.
On Symbiose, I added the global warming stripes of scientist Ed Hawkins, a visual representation of the increase in global temperatures since the industrial revolution. Inspired by their scientific nomenclature, I reworked these stripes using acrylic paint applied with a spatula, making them more aesthetic and accessible. The gradual shift from blue to red symbolizes the direct impact of global warming on corals, which are at risk of disappearing by 99% if warming reaches 2°C, according to the projections of the latest IPCC report.
These visually striking strips bring an educational dimension to the work, while maintaining 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 does not stop at the oceans: humans themselves, dependent on biodiversity for their survival, are 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, Symbiose is a faithful representation of my artistic approach. Through this work, I seek to mix art and science to raise awareness of these environmental issues. The visual fusion between humans and coral highlights that our survival depends on that of marine ecosystems, often considered distant but in reality vital for our common future. We are all interdependent, and the destruction of coral reefs, like the loss of biodiversity, affects humanity as a whole.
The baroque frame, of traditional and local manufacture, echoes a time when the human footprint on the planet was smaller, while reinforcing the visual contrasts of the work and emphasizing the possible harmony between apparently opposing elements.
Symbiose perfectly illustrates my artistic approach, which seeks to translate scientific concepts into aesthetic and emotionally engaging visual works. By mixing photography, painting and science, I wish to awaken in the viewer a reflection on his role in the preservation of life, the fight against global warming and the recognition of our interdependence with biodiversity which is essential to our own survival.
Work thought out and created with love in Lyon, France.
