This visual exploration is a journey to another planet. TiàWùK is a planet located in a quite close galaxy to us, it is small compared to the earth and the environmental conditions are extreme but suitable enough for the adaptation of human life.
After years of astronomical observations humanity for the first time found another planet with human life.This planet is inhabited by 4 million people and only 2% of the land is cultivable. The real citizens are just 1 million and the other inhabitants are expats who are working there from other planets. According to our informations, the planet has been recently colonized and after many years, a secret source of energy was discovered: in a short time it has become one of the richest in the whole universe. Part of the population, which has recently discovered economical wealth, is suffering a psychological disorder which the symptoms can be found in a materialist and dystopian vision of their surrounding world. According to the theories of some of the most important terrestrial psychologists, we know that the exterior world we create and live in is a reflection of our inner world and that the lack of inner awareness and attachment are the sources of suffering. Because of many causes, TiàWùK shows us that capitalism and materialism can distort our vision of life and the reality surrounding us. We thought we were the only ones to have these problems, but Tiawuk’s discovery and exploration gave us the sense of the universality of the issue. We are not alone.
Gabriele Cecconi is an Italian documentary photographer interested in cultural, political and environmental issues. He approached photography after a law degree and in 2015 he was selected by Camera Torino and Leica for a masterclass with Magnum photographer Alex Webb. Since then he made several reportages until 2018 when he started working on long-term projects. His project on the environmental impact of Rohingya migration in southern Bangladesh has received numerous international awards including the Yves Rocher Photography Award at Visa pour l’Image, POY, Andrei Stenin Grand Prix, PX3 Photographer of the Year and the LUMIX Sustainability Award among others. His work has been exhibited internationally in museums, festivals and galleries including the Hermitage State Museum, the United Nations Headquarters, Photo Vogue Festival, Festival della Fotografia Etica and it has been published by Italian and international newspapers and magazines including National Geographic, The Guardian, GUP, Internazionale, L’Espresso, Newsweek and Courrier International. At the same time he carries out research on the relationship between culture, power and representation and on the spiritual and pedagogical aspects of the visual arts.
Gabriele Cecconi’s photographs will be showcased during the upcoming 22nd edition of Fotofestiwal, which will take place between June 15th and 25th in Łódź. More info at www.fotofestiwal.com.
