Global Warming
New York-based artistAnya Antiuses herconceptual photographypractice to explore new ideas and illuminate different issues.
You might be wondering what 2.5 seconds has to do with climate change.
Planet Earth is 4.5 billion years old.
“Global Warming”
Mankind is about 140,000 years old.
When viewed from that perspective, the damage we have inflicted on the world is indeed appalling.
Originally from Ukraine, Anti developed her photography and editing skills on her own.
“Deforestation”
We recently caught up with Anti to learn even more about her project,2.5 Seconds.
Read on for our exclusive interview.
Deforestation
What is your background in photography?
“Extreme Weather”
Ive always been a creative person.
As a child, I was good at painting and crafts.
In 2010, I discovered photography and fell in love with it.
“Extreme Weather”
With only $400 worth of savings, I bought my first DSLR camera.
So, I had to learn everything by myself.
I gained all my knowledge and inspiration through social media and online photography communities.
“Greenhouse Gases”
I learned through trial and error and analyzing other photographers' work.
When I got into photography, I was struggling to find myself for a while.
Like many of us, I was trying different genres.
“Plastic Pollution”
When I started shooting people, I wanted to do something beyond just simple portraits.
Extreme Weather
Many of your works are very surreal and transportive.
How do you come up with concepts for your photoshoots?
“Plastic Pollution”
My photography practice is about storytelling.
It all starts with the concept.
For me, photography is not just about taking eye-pleasing images.
“Sea Level Rise”
Sometimes its abstract and I want the viewer to use their imagination.
And sometimes its an interesting mix of symbolism and associations.
I get a lot of questions about inspiration and how to come up with ideas.
“Glacier Melt”
I believe inspiration comes from within.
you gotta stimulate your vision and you will start to see more things.
Think of it as an inner library of visual experience that you collect over time.
“Glacier Melt”
I follow many artists on social media and I constantly browse a lot of art and photography.
Then, I attempt to imagine things in unexpected and unconventional ways.
Creativity is like a muscle that it’s crucial that you exercise.
“Pollution”
Sometimes small things and different elements around me can trigger an idea.
What kind of research do you perform before a shoot?
A sketch is an excellent way to start.
“Pollution”
Then I look for the right model and scout for a location.
If Im shooting on location, I check out the natural light before the shoot.
I always bring a collapsible reflector with me and think if I need any additional lighting equipment.
“Plastic Pollution”
Then I buy, rent, or make props, costumes, outfits.
Composites are always easier to make look more realistic when the majority of work is done on set.
Greenhouse Gases
Tell us more about your newest project,2.5 Seconds.
A few years ago I started working on my climate change awareness project called2.5 Seconds.
Planet Earth is 4.5 billion years old.
Mankind is about 140,000 years old.
We have created the industrial revolution and burned fossil fuels creating more carbon in the atmosphere than ever before.
We have caused global warming at a record pace, endangering our own existence.
We have cut trees and destroyed forests more than ever before, polluted air, water, and soil.
We have caused the fourth mass animal extinction.
In just 2.5 seconds, weve turned the planet into our own personal factory.
The project is a series of photographs that highlight the environmental crisis through metaphors and symbolism.
I hope my art will be louder and clearer than words.
Plastic Pollution
How did you get the idea to personify different climate change issues with models?
I work in a genre of conceptual and surrealistic on-location mostly female portraiture.
I think it is what Im best at and what Im known for.
Why did you choose to base the project in Iceland?
I have always loved nature, and have been both amazed and captivated by our planets beauty.
I wanted to capture and preserve Iceland’s incredible beauty through my art while I still can.
Sea Level Rise
Is there a piece from this series that you are most proud of?
I am very proud of the whole project and I love every single image.
This time, I couldnt rely on the props really and the setup was beyond my control.
Nonetheless, I still prepared.
I couldnt really build a setup and flood the area.
Even my husband was skeptical I could pull it off.
Glacier Melt
(continued)Another one Im really proud of isGlacier Melt.
This was probably the most challenging concept and photoshoot of the whole project.
I made the costume myself and spent an enormous amount of time on it.
The photoshoot itself was also very difficult.
I wanted to shoot the concept next to the real glacier.
It was extremely cold, and we had to shoot under freezing rain and wind.
My model was half-naked wearing a bodysuit and an ice costume.
I had to be very quick and very efficient.
How important is the editing process for your photos?
Post-production and photo manipulation are essential in my work.
Just like my camera, computer and editing software is another powerful tool for creating artwork.
It gives me a big potential to convey my idea and match everything that was captured to my vision.
With some Photoshop magic, I transform, enhance and bend the reality.
Pollution
What do you hope people will take away from these images?
Do you have any upcoming projects you’re free to tell us about?
