Solastalgia - Laetitia Dumez

Inspired by the current situation on our planet Earth, this project is driven by the need to understand the spreading feeling of Solastalgia. Speaking about environmental and climate change with their causes and looking at the consequences of human activity.
Expressing the emotions that solastalgia implies.

Heat

Global warming is causing temperatures on Earth to rise, leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves. These heatwaves have a profound impact on ecosystems, disrupting ecological balance and endangering various species.

Exhibition in Paris

Solastalgia was exhibited in Paris between February 6th to March 22nd 2024 at Galerie Spéos.

Earth

The soil's infertility is a reminder of the intricate relationship between the Earth and all living things.
When the soil becomes infertile due to pollution and degradation, it loses its ability to support healthy plant growth.

Anxiety

The experience of solastalgia involves feelings of loss and distress associated with environmental change.
With the sense of disconnection that comes with it, people may experience a sense of helplessness and uncertainty that can exacerbate feelings of anxiety.

Coral Bleaching

Coral bleaching is a phenomenon which occurs when corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients.
They expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn completely white and potentially leading them to death.
Human activity plays a significant role in these events, as factors like climate change, pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices contribute to the deterioration of coral reefs worldwide. Healthy oceans provide many benefits such as biodiversity, food resources, oxygen production, climate regulation, and coastal protection. They support millions of species and contribute to the balance of our planet's ecosystems.

Emptiness

In addition to the overwhelming sense of loss, Solastalgia can also evoke feelings of insignificance and powerlessness.

Stuck

Witnessing the deterioration of the planet can evoke the sensation of being lost in a maze without an exit.
This feeling of being stuck in the midst of such a colossal transformation, where our impact seems so small, often sparks solastalgia.

Laetitia Dumez
Photographer
Paris & London