Terra-Deforming
Terraforming ("Earth-shaping") is the hypothetical process of planetary engineering...
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Terraforming ("Earth-shaping") is the hypothetical process of planetary engineering which is deliberately modifying the atmosphere, temperature, topography or ecology to be similar to the environment of Earth to make it habitable by Earth-like life. The concept of terraforming has developed both from science fiction and actual science. One of the approaches to Terraforming is sawing a sterile planet with microbiological life, then followed by the importation of plant life, which would accelerate the production of oxygen, and culminate in the introduction of animal and human life.
Nowadays the Anthropocene geological epoch from the commencement of the significant human impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems is a fact more than ever. In the last half billion years of Earth's history five mass extinctions of species have occurred due to extreme changes in climate, global sea level and changes in ocean chemistry. Human impact on the environment has become much more apparent in the last 150 years. During this short period of time the population on Earth has quadrupled to almost 8 billion people. Today people are drastically changing the environment through urbanization, industrialization, mining, agriculture, dam construction and diversion, pollution and oxidation of oceans, unprecedented deforestation and animal species annihilation, widespread use of plastics, which form a huge part of the modern technofossils.
“TERRA-DEFORMING” is an imaginary term made up by the author used to define the hypothetical opposite process of Terraforming. The author juxtaposes terraforming and tera-deforming semantically and visually often reversing their directions to compare natural phenomena with those caused by man. Works are an illustration of the impact we as dominant species have on the planet. Nowadays humans have a remarkable influence on the natural landscapes - often reminiscent of prehistoric Earth or alien worlds.
The series was shot at places like dams, mines, agricultural fields, factories, where the environment was significantly changed by human activity. It also includes shots taken at nature and national parks which are vulnerable too due to the enormous pressure of tourist flow causing pollution and erosion and endangering habitats of extinction.
"Terradeforming is happening today on our planet, caused by us humans. My goal is to provoke reflection and discussion about our development as a species and the future of the Earth " - says Emil Rashkovski.
Project started in 2017 and is ongoing.