Isolated Castaway: A Captivating Photo Series Depicting Messages in Bottles

Eduardo Dulla's Unique Blend of Photography and Symbolism

Dulla's inspiration for this series stems from the timeless concept of a castaway sending out a distress call in a bottle. However, instead of focusing solely on despair, he sees it as a profound display of hope. The messages on the bottles are inspired by their meanings or significant events, such as "Same Blood" for the terrorist attacks in Paris and "Reverse of Courage" for the devastating disasters in Mariana and Brumadinho.

What sets the Isolated Castaway series apart is its unique approach to combining the literal and the subjective. Dulla aims to present "words" in a photograph, blurring the line between text and image. The result is a thought-provoking visual experience that challenges viewers to question the importance and worthiness of the messages we share.

Technically, Dulla brings his vision to life using a Canon digital camera and lenses. In the studio, he utilizes lighting equipment from renowned brands such as Broncolor, Elinchron, Arri, and Dedolight. The photographs undergo interference and image fusion techniques, adding depth and complexity to the final compositions.

The Isolated Castaway series features variable-format photographs, with a long side measuring approximately 800mm. Each image is printed with inkjet on cotton paper, ensuring the highest quality and longevity.

Collaboration plays a significant role in the realization of this project. Regiane Mancini, a talented set designer, brings Dulla's concepts to life, while collaborators Judite Scholz and Tiago Matos contribute their expertise to the creative process. Adilson Tucão and Jujuba Digital handle the intricate image manipulation required to achieve the desired visual impact.

Through the Isolated Castaway series, Dulla invites viewers to reflect on their attitudes towards communication and the messages we share. The photographs serve as a reminder of the power of words and the potential for positive change in our troubled world.

The Isolated Castaway project began in July 2017 and is an ongoing endeavor. Extensive research underlies each photograph, with books, movies, and newspaper articles serving as references. Dulla meticulously plans each image, creating sketches and building set designs to bring his vision to life. Special aquariums and mechanisms are employed to capture the essence of each word or event.

Overcoming creative, technical, and research challenges was a crucial part of the Isolated Castaway project. Dulla successfully treated each theme differently while using the same elements of a message, bottle, and water in all the images. This adaptability allowed him to convey the intended meaning or inspiration behind each photograph.

Eduardo Dulla's Isolated Castaway series is a testament to the power of art to provoke thought and inspire change. By combining photography and symbolism, Dulla invites viewers to contemplate the significance of communication and the role we play in shaping our world.

All photographs in the Isolated Castaway series are the intellectual property of Eduardo Dulla. The project has been awarded the prestigious Bronze A' Design Award in Photography and Photo Manipulation Design in 2020. This recognition highlights the series' outstanding creativity, technical skill, and contribution to improving the quality of life through art, science, design, and technology.