IMPERIUM, Atlas and Chronology.

May 10, 2015

"Putin's Table set", from the serie Imeprium. 2012 ©Davide Monteleone.

“Russia opened its twentieth-century history with the Revolution of 1905 and is closing it with the revolution that resulted in the breakup of the USSR in 1991 […] History in this country is an active volcano, continually churning, and there is no sign of its wanting to calm down, to be dormant.”

Imperium, Ryszard Kapuscinski

Since last summer I started, slowly I must admit a new project, again, in Russia. The project will have different chapters and will involves numerous trip and a detailed organisation. My goal is to complete it by 2017.

Blocked by sanctions after Putin invaded Ukraine, Russian businesses have increasingly relied on China, continuing a trend that began in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and Xi Jinping adopted a more assertive foreign policy. Economic ties between Russia and China are flourishing more than ever. Putin’s upcoming visit to China will be his 43rd meeting with Xi, showcasing their close relationship. In 2014, after covering on assignment the uprising in Ukraine, and then the civil war and the occupation of Crimea, I felt the urge to go deeper into the dynamics that move behind those geopolitical disruptions. I needed to do something somehow connected to this story, but far away from the press attention. That’s why I ended up at the Russian-Chinese Border, exploring the crucial interaction between the two countries. This area, a place of cultural and economic contradictions, already showcased the fragile and controversial “Drusby Naroda” (People’s friendship), as the Soviets used to call it, that has developed between these two superpowers. Later on, with “Sinomocene” I expanded this work by documenting China’s political and financial growth through the Belt and Road Initiative. The exploration of power dynamics and their impact on individuals became a central theme and this subject has been a fertile ground for my investigation. Even my ongoing project “Critical Minerals - Geography of Energy” is also linked to this global shift, making me also realize for the first time the actual “physical” size of the world’s interdependence with Chinese resources. When I look at the different narratives I worked on in the last few decades, I feel how strongly all of this is interconnected, and, most of all, how difficult it is to build up a thoughtful exploration into the possibilities - and challenges - that await us soon.

News has spread that the world’s largest DAC plant just opened. DAC means “Direct Air Capture”, a technology developed by the Swiss company Climeworks that sucks air and removes CO2 from it by using chemicals. In Iceland, Climeworks’ flagship facility ORCA removes tons of carbon dioxide per year. CO2 is then pumped underground and stored in the basalt rock through the system the neighboring company Carbix implements. I had the chance to visit this groundbreaking facility two years ago, while on assignment for @natgeo’s cover story about Carbon Capture and Storage systems. Back then, the collectors were smaller but still quite impressive, also given that these giant structures were entirely powered by Icelandic geothermal energy. The pictures above represent one of the most difficult shooting sessions of the entire work. We used different colors, light setups, a drone, and two cameras and we worked until late in the night to get the final result. . . . #davidemonteleonestudio #documentary #photography #photojournalist #photojournalism #fineartphotography #documentaryphotography #reportage #photodocumentary #sonyalpha #sonyimagingambassadors #sony #sonyapha #alphauniversebysonyeu #natgeo

A few days ago, a new media report was released, claiming that the President of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov’s health is rapidly deteriorating. The news of Kadyrov’s terminal illness could be a serious source of concern for the Kremlin as Putin needs to consolidate Russian influence and control in Chechnya in the coming years, just as he has been doing for decades. The Chechen leader has long been known for his loyalty to Moscow. While Putin has long supported him to preserve the region’s stability, Kadyrov, in return, has sent thousands of Chechen paramilitaries to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Also, Putin’s past operations in Chechnya have drawn strong comparisons to the strategy they are now using in Ukraine. These news are of particular significance to me because I have spent quite a long time visually documenting the situation in those areas. The result of that work was published as a book: “Spasibo”, in 2013, and my photographic essay has gained relevant recognition over the years. Today I want to share with you a few shots taken 11 years ago, while I was in Grozny to document the celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the Constitution Day. In the carousel above, you will see Chechnya’s President Ramzan Kadyrov attending the ceremony, along with back-then political representatives. You can also spot an image of a car showing the code “KPA” (KRA) on its plate. This signature stands for Kadyrov Ramzan Akhamdovich. Cars like this were a gift from Kadyrov to affiliates of his family, his close circle, and friends and are part of the extravaganza he surrounded himself with, including a car collection, horses, a private zoo, and celebrities as guests for his parties. For more info about this and other stories, please visit my website at the link in bio. . . . . #davidemonteleonestudio #documentary #photography #photojournalist #photojournalism #fineartphotography #documentaryphotography #reportage #photodocumentary #sonyalpha #sonyimagingambassadors #sony #sonyapha #alphauniversebysonyeu

Reflecting on our impact this #EarthDay. The stark contrast between Chuquicamata’s ghostly remnants and the thriving industry that once was reminds us that progress comes at a cost. Chile is home to some of the world’s largest, better-known copper mines, and the industry has been one of the main drivers in the rapid development of the country’s economy. This region of the world has been exploited for its natural resources for centuries, and the result is a large field of abandoned sites from where local communities have been displaced over the years, leaving behind a series of ghost towns, dry fields, and industrial waste. The real struggle, from now on, will be to sort out a way to keep pace with green policies while confronting the ever-increasing demand for critical materials, which are undoubtedly necessary for the upcoming energy transition that will make an overall move away from fossil fuels possible. It’s time to innovate for a greener future without leaving scars on our planet. Picture from my latest project “Critical Minerals - Geography of Energy”, ongoing. . . . . #davidemonteleonestudio #documentary #photography #photojournalist #photojournalism #fineartphotography #documentaryphotography #reportage #photodocumentary #sonyalpha #sonyimagingambassadors #sony #sonyapha #alphauniversebysonyeu #natgeo #theclimatepledge

Don’t miss the @worldphotoorg exhibition opening this week at @somersethouse. ⁠ Amongst the many stunning projects and images from all over the world shortlisted for the 2024 Sony World Photography Awards, you will find a selection of my latest series about the cobalt mining industry in the DRC. ⁠ More info at the link in bio.⁠ ⁠ This work would never have seen the light without the precious support of @theclimatepledge @insidenatgeo @sony.italia @sonyalpha @alphauniversebysony.eu @heillandifund @galleriavaleriabella and my team @manuel__montesano @samantha_azzani .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #davidemonteleonestudio #documentary #photography #photojournalist #photojournalism #fineartphotography #documentaryphotography #reportage #photodocumentary #sonyalpha #sonyimagingambassadors #sony #sonyapha #alphauniversebysonyeu #natgeo #theclimatepledge #swpa

On this World Water Day, we reflect on the delicate balance of progress and conservation. This striking view of the Atacama Desert is a reminder of our planet's natural wonders and the urgent need to safeguard its resources as we harness the power of renewable energies for a greener future. The Atacama region, which is also home to vast copper mines, supplies nearly one-quarter of the globe’s lithium.⁠ As we tap into lithium and other critical minerals to fuel our eco-friendly aspirations, we must not overlook the vital importance of water to local ecosystems and communities.⁠ Chile is the second global producer of lithium, essential in the upcoming energy switch for its utilization in the production of technologies helping the world transition away from fossil fuels. The metal is extracted through the evaporation of brines found beneath salt flats, a water-intensive method that drains already scarce water resources, damages wetlands, and harms communities. The displacement of villagers, forced to leave due to lack of water resources or construction sites, has also caused the disappearance of many ancient cultures and traditions of a population used to live by following the natural cycles.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #davidemonteleonestudio #davidemon #documentary #photography #photojournalist #photojournalism #fineartphotography #documentaryphotography #reportage #photodocumentary #sonyalpha #sonyimagingambassadors #sony #alphauniversebysonyeu #natgeo #WorldWaterDay #SustainableMining #AtacamaDesert

#Lithium series, 2023/2024. Soon at @artefiera_bologna See you Feb2-4. #lithium #criticalminerals #criticalthinking #greenrevolution? @insidenatgeo #landscape #landscapephotography #chile🇨🇱 #atacama

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, leader of the Russian Revolution.⁠ In 2017, on the occasion of the centennial of Lenin’s April Theses publication, I took a real, re-invented trip that followed Lenin’s ghostly footsteps, reenacting his way back to his homeland from a period of political exile. ⁠ With the help of archival documents, historical books, some props, and a bit of digital retouching, I physically stepped into the shoes of Lenin to recreate his long journey on a train across Germany, Sweden, and Finland to reach St. Petersburg and take the wheel of the Soviet party. ⁠ To know more about “The April Theses” project, please visit the link in bio. ⁠ ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #davidemonteleonestudio #davidemon #documentary #photography #photojournalist #photojournalism #fineartphotography #documentaryphotography #reportage #photodocumentary #sonyalpha #sonyimagingambassadors #sony #alphauniversebysonyeu

It is with extreme sadness and sorrow that I share this news. With the passing of Kai not only has the photography community lost a champion, but I have also lost a generous and extraordinary friend with whom, over the years, I shared mountain walks, chess games, chats about bikes and motorbikes, the housing market, stock market trends, international politics and the right time of day to have a cappuccino! Kai was shy and modest ( a rare quality in this industry) although his work was extraordinary. His heart was always on the right side, and his work (especially the decades dedicated to Palestine) should be remembered even more fondly today. I will miss you. Remembering Kai Wiedenhöfer (1966 - 2024) It is with great sadness that we announce that the photojournalist Kai Wiedenhöfer has passed away at the age of 57. As a photo student he photographed the fall of the Berlin Wall. Deeply moved by his experience of witnessing history unfold he dedicated his life to peace, working consistently in conflict zones. Wiedenhöfer focussed his camera on those most in need, tirelessly developing new ways of photographing the consequences of war and conflict. This made him one of the most important documentary photographers of his generation. This email is sent by a small group of Kai’s close friends in Berlin on behalf of his family. For any immediate enquiries, please contact: kaiwiedenhoeferestate@gmail.com #kaiwiedenhoeferestate @newshatavakolian @paolopellegrin @hammond_robin @prixcarmignac @eugenesmithfund @peterunterthurner http://kaiwiedenhoefer.com/