Firebergs Series Cold 23: A Surreal Journey Through Climate Crisis

Patrizia Dottori's Award-Winning Photographic Project Echoes Environmental Concerns

The Firebergs Series Cold 23 is a testament to the power of art in communicating critical issues. Dottori's work is not just a collection of stunning images; it's a visual narrative of the environment's current state. The project uses ice as the primary element, symbolizing the world's melting glaciers due to global warming. Through chromatic inversion, Dottori transforms the ice into what appears to be volcanic lava, representing an opposite reality and emphasizing the concept of "negative" both in a technical and conceptual sense.

Dottori's innovative approach to photography is evident in the creation of this series. The images were captured using a professional Nikon D200 camera, with post-production work done in Adobe Photoshop and Camera raw to achieve the chromatic inversion. The final prints, measuring 100 x 70cm, were printed on warm photographic paper to enhance the colours and framed with a 5 cm black frame of depth.

The series is designed to engage the viewer, creating a path of reading and imagination. At first glance, the images evoke a volcano, but a closer look reveals the reality of melting ice. This positive-to-negative reversal, where heat burns ice, confronts the viewer with the stark reality of the climate crisis.

Firebergs Series Cold 23 was born at the end of 2007 on the Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina and has been exhibited in various locations, including the Tarahan-Azad Art Gallery in Tehran and the Italian Cultural Institute in Buenos Aires. The project continues to evolve, with new images currently being worked on.

The project's success is a testament to Dottori's innovative approach to environmental storytelling. The series was awarded Silver in A' Photography and Photo Manipulation Design Award in 2023, a prestigious accolade given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation. The Firebergs Series Cold 23 is not just a photographic project; it's a call to action, a reminder of the urgent need to address the climate crisis.