'The earth from the air' in Italy
After its enormous success in 34 countries worldwide, where it was greeted with enthusiasm by 40 million people, 'The Earth from the Air' exhibition by French press photographer Yann Arthus-Bretrand has also reached Milan, Italy, where it will stay until November 14.
One hundred and twenty extraordianry photographs of our planet seen from above and in an impressive format (1.8x1.2 m), texts of high social and environmental content, a spectacular planisphere, a documentary film and an information center on Sustainable Development, present 'reports' on the earth to make it more understandable by everyone.
Enhanced by the fascination of the earth seen from the sky and explained in texts that provide correct interpretations, the images convey the message of the author, whose intention is to make the greatest number of people in as many countries as possible aware of, and sensitive to, the concepts of Sustainable Development. Because of these objectives, Yann Arthus-Bertrand's project has received the prestigious recognition and support of Unesco.
Set up in the open air in the pedestrian precinct that stretches from Via Dante almost as far the Cathedral and includes Piazza Cordusio and Via dei Mercanti, the exhibition will be open 24 hours a day and will be illuminated at night.
As in the other countries, the exhibition is also accessible to blind people, thanks to French eyewear designer Alain Mikli, who collaborated with Mazzucchelli 1849 (producers of cellulose acetate) to transform the 45 photos into tactile images. Based on cotton, cellulose acetate is the only plastic material of vegetable origin and it is often used to support texts in Braille as it allows reading by touch.
To make the tactile images, Alain Mikli's team used Yann Arthus-Bertrand's high-definition photographs (300 dpi). Each image was re-worked in actual size, 80x120 cm. Each point or pixel of the image was given a level depending on the initial color. Each object or leaf on a tree was outlined. Working by layers, the photos were then reinterpreted in various shades of gray. This was followed by a calculation of the different depths of the original images: the deepest layers are the lightest (grays, whites), whereas the topmost layers appear darker and are in shades of gray and black. The two colors were chosen in order to accentuate contrasts for people with hypovision and to present black and white images for blind people.
The Milan event was organized with the sponsorship of the Tourism, Fashion and Events Council of the City of Milan, the Ministry for the Environment and Protection of the Territory, the Lombardy Region, the Province of Milan, the French Embassy in Italy, the Valle del Ticino and Assodante Nature Reserve, whereas the section for the blind was generously offered by the Milan Institute for the Blind, the Olivetti USA Foundation and the Milan Association for Blind and Hypovision Parents and Children.
