The “Critical Minerals – Geography of Energy” series is part of a multi-chapter transmedia visual investigation encompassing still images, a documentary film, and an immersive art installation. This endeavour explores the profound transformation in the global energy landscape—the shift towards renewable energy sources. The project delves into the intricate geopolitical, social, and environmental implications of the exponential demand for minerals necessary to achieve renewable energy goals. The project, supported, among others, by the National Geographic Society and The Climate Pledge, will be finalised by summer 2024.
In "Critical Minerals," Monteleone unveils the extraordinary beauty and environmental complexities of mining sites and the communities they impact. With a masterful eye for composition and a deep commitment to the ethical dimensions of his subjects, Monteleone captures the intricate interplay between humanity and nature and the moral and ecological dilemmas that arise from our dependence on these vital materials.
His meticulous compositions and manipulation of light create visually striking images that blur the line between documentary photography and abstract art. Monteleone's masterful use of colour, texture, and form imbues each frame with a surreal and otherworldly quality, drawing viewers into a deeper contemplation of the series' themes. The interplay between the abstract and the documentary in "Critical Minerals" offers a fresh perspective on the landscapes and processes often hidden from public view, challenging us to explore the profound connections between the aesthetic and the industrial, the sublime and the hazardous, and the art and the critical minerals that sustain our modern existence.
