A Dive into the Depths: Nicolas Floc´h´s Exhibition at MAAT
Disovering the Intersection of Art and Ecology
Recently, when my mother came to visit me, we decided to do all the typical tourist activities in Lisbon, which led us to MAAT in Belém. As a student focussing on sustainability at the Nova School of Business and Economics, I’m always on the lookout for inspiring and educational experiences. So MAAT, renowned for its blend of contemporary art, architecture and technology, was a perfect fit for our itinerary.
It was there that we discovered Nicolas Floc’h’s extensive exhibition. This fascinating collection of photographs, videos and sculptures plunged us into the depths of the aquatic mysteries of our planet. The visit with my mother turned out to be more than just a day of sightseeing; it was an enriching experience that perfectly complemented my academic journey in sustainability.
Why Nicolas Floc´h?
My interest in the photography of Nicolas Floc’h grew out of a deep appreciation for the sea and its significant impact on our lives. Floc’h, a renowned French photographer, brings the ocean to life in a unique way. His vivid images of the underwater hot springs of the Azores particularly caught my eye, especially as I had the opportunity to visit these fascinating springs in January. I don’t usually go to art events, as I often find them unexciting. However, Floc’h’s exhibition was a refreshing change. It wasn’t just about art; it was a journey that connected me deeply with nature and places that I have personally experienced.
The Exhibition: A Journey through Colors and Currents
At the heart of Floc’h’s exhibition is ‘The Colour of Water — The Tagus River’, a mural of 408 photographs depicting the different hues of the Tagus River. This work, created during a residency at MAAT, captures the spectrum of the river from Castanheira do Ribatejo to Bugio.
The exhibition continues with a collaboration with Arquipelago — Centro de Artes Contemporaneas, Azores, documenting an expedition to the underwater hot springs off São Miguel. The strong contrast between the vibrant Tagus and the acidified seabed of the Azores paints a haunting picture of our ecological reality. Floc’h’s work extends beyond Portuguese waters to areas as diverse as Brittany and the Mississippi River basin.
His photographic and video records reveal not only the breadth of his exploration, but also the diversity of our planet’s lesser-known underwater realms. While his work isn’t an explicit climate manifesto, it undeniably steers us towards ecological awareness by revealing the precarious balance of marine ecosystems.
Personal Analysis: A Confluence of Emotions and Thoughts
Visiting Nicolas Floc’h’s exhibition at MAAT really opened my eyes to how we’re all connected to nature and how important it is to take care of our environment. Seeing his photos and videos of the ocean and rivers made me feel closer to these places and more aware of the creatures that live in them. It was like art was telling me, “Hey, we need to take care of these beautiful parts of our world”.
This experience made me think a lot about how everyone should see this kind of art. Maybe if more people could see what I saw, they would think twice before doing something harmful to the environment, like leaving a plastic bag on the beach. Floc’h’s work shows how our small actions can have a big impact on nature.
Connecting Art to Design Thinking for Social Innovation
The most striking link to the course is the exhibition’s embodiment of creative problem-solving and awareness-raising. Floc’h’s approach reflects the principles of design thinking — empathising with the subject (our oceans), defining the problem (ecological imbalance), generating ideas through artistic expression and implicitly inviting solutions for conservation. His work is a powerful reminder that innovation in sustainability isn’t limited to technological advances or policy changes; it can come from artistic expression that shifts perspectives and ignites a collective desire to act.
In Conclusion: A Portal to Consciousness
Nicolas Floc’h’s exhibition at the MAAT is more than an artistic endeavour; it’s a clarion call to recognise, appreciate and protect the fragile beauty of our marine environment. As I left the museum, I carried with me not only the memory of the stunning visuals, but also a renewed sense of responsibility towards our planet. At the confluence of art and sustainability lies a powerful force for change — a force that Floc’h masterfully embodies in his work.
