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.

Sneak peek into the “Critical Minerals - Geography of Energy” installation at @mudec_official On display until December 15th. Video by @manuel__montesano

Ieri sera abbiamo inaugurato la mostra Critical Minerals al Mudec di Milano! Da oggi fino al 15 dicembre l’installazione sarà aperta al pubblico, e l’ingresso è gratuito. È stato davvero emozionante vedere tanti amici, colleghi e volti nuovi partecipare, nonostante lo sciopero che ha colpito Milano. Un grazie speciale va a tutte le persone e organizzazioni che hanno reso possibile questo evento unico: * @fondazionedeloitte * @blackcameraitaly * @denis_curti * @alessiomason * @beatrice__ravelli * @curti_alessandro * @mudec_official * @cristobalolivares @guerchomndebo @mfimages @manuel__montesano @samantha_azzani * @imagofineart * @giuzan * @libertife * @deloitte_italia * @24orecultura * @podbielski_contemporary … e a tutti gli altri presenti, che per motivi di spazio non posso elencare qui. Grazie di cuore a ciascuno di voi! La prossima tappa? Parigi… e tante altre a seguire. Rimanete sintonizzati!

Critical Minerals – Geography of Energy, as this year’s LEICA @leica_camera winning series, is also going on a worldwide tour, along with the other amazing shortlisted works. First stop is the Ernst Leitz Museum in Wetzlar, Germany, on October 10th, and after that, it’ll be popping up at Leica galleries and photo festivals around the world. You’ll also be able to dive deeper into the series featured in a special catalogue. If you get a chance, make sure to catch it at one of the stops—it’s not just photos! There’s also a video essay that will pull you into the full story. Check out the link in the bio for all the details. In the picture: COPPER. Chile, April 2023. Chuquicamata ghost town. View of the former theatre. The town of Chuquicamata was established as a mining camp when mining operations opened. Dust from the mine and gases from the nearby smelting plant caused the mining company to relocate the entire town. . . . . #davidemonteleonestudio #documentary #photography #photojournalist #photojournalism #fineartphotography #documentaryphotography #reportage #photodocumentary #natgeo #insidenatgeo #theclimatepledge #leica #leicacamera #leicaaward #LOBA2024 #criticalminerals

The prestige of the LOBA @leica_camera on the global photography stage is again highlighted by the quality and relevance of the shortlisted projects that made it to the final round. It’s more urgent than ever to keep these critical conversations going, especially in a world where real issues often get drowned out by fake news and unchecked media. With my interest in geopolitics and environmental issues, I felt it was crucial to shed light on a topic that doesn’t get enough attention—the complex and often controversial side of the so-called green energy transition. I hope this award helps raise awareness of this global challenge: How fairly and quickly are nations rethinking their approach to energy production and consumption? In the picture: NICKEL. Tambea, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. May 2024. View of mangroves contaminated by the mud coming from the nearby nickel mine site. . . . . #davidemonteleonestudio #documentary #photography #photojournalist #photojournalism #fineartphotography #documentaryphotography #reportage #photodocumentary #natgeo #insidenatgeo #theclimatepledge #leica #leicacamera #leicaaward #LOBA2024 #criticalminerals

#criticalminerals #energy #nature #environment #lithium #documentary

I spent two great days in Wetzlar for the #celebrationof photography @leica_camera. Thank you so much to all the staff that made feel like at home, to all the amazing colleagues (new and familiar face) I had the chance to see and all friends and photography passionate. Thank you #photography

How can we build a sustainable future without making the same mistakes? With this project, winner of the 44th Leica Oskar Barnack Award (@leica_camera ), I wanted to dig deeper into the shift to renewable energy and the challenges that come with it. Through a mix of visuals and data, Critical Minerals explores the complex geopolitical, social, and environmental impacts of intensive mining. I focused on four key minerals—copper, lithium, cobalt, and nickel—and their extraction in Chile, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Indonesia due to their critical role in the green energy transition. Want to learn more? Head to the link in my bio for all the details! In the picture: COBALT. Kolwezi, Democratic republic of Congo (DRC). August 2023. Mine blasting at Chemaf’s Mutoshi concession. . . . . #davidemonteleonestudio #documentary #photography #photojournalist #photojournalism #fineartphotography #documentaryphotography #reportage #photodocumentary #natgeo #insidenatgeo #theclimatepledge #leica #leicacamera #leicaaward #LOBA2024 #criticalminerals

Exciting news! Critical Minerals – Geography of Energy won the 44th Leica Oskar Barnack Award (@leica_camera )! Huge thanks to @benedettadonato for nominating my project, and to the jury for recognizing how important and urgent this topic is. Shoutout to my awesome teammates @manuel__montesano and @samantha_azzani, and the incredible local storytellers @cristobalolivares, @guerchomndebo, and @mfimages—you made this journey possible. Also, a massive thank you to all the amazing institutions that supported me from day one, @insidenatgeo, @theclimatepledge. This project is truly a collaborative effort, and I’m beyond proud that it’s been recognized as a key part of the conversation around energy transition. In the picture: LITHIUM. Chile, April 2023. Valle de La Luna, Atacama Desert. The area is considered one of the driest places on earth, as some areas have not received a single drop of rain in hundreds of years. It also supplies nearly one-quarter of the globe’s lithium. . . . . #davidemonteleonestudio #documentary #photography #photojournalist #photojournalism #fineartphotography #documentaryphotography #reportage #photodocumentary #natgeo #insidenatgeo #theclimatepledge #leica #leicacamera #leicaaward #LOBA2024 #criticalminerals

“Critical Minerals - Geography of Energy” is, above all, the result of a collaboration and dialogue with local storytellers. This project has gained significant recognition and success, underscoring the importance of our message and the impact of our work. Only through awareness and collaboration we can avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and seize the opportunities that progress and the future offers us. I firmly believe that the energy transition we are heading towards is both right and indispensable, but it must be guided by a profound consideration of our responsibilities towards the planet and the communities that inhabit it. Photography, like any other form of documentary storytelling, has the duty to recognize and highlight shadowed areas and potential issues before proposing solutions. I am going to share here a few shots from the great collaborators who contributed to shaping the work as best as possible. I want to express also my heartfelt gratitude to the team that supports me with unwavering enthusiasm to make every journey we embark on together much more exciting and fulfilling @manuel__montesano, and @samantha_azzani. Pic #1 - Studio Davide Monteleone / Davide Monteleone Pic #2 - Studio Davide Monteleone/ Cristobal Olivares @cristobalolivares Pic #3 - Studio Davide Monteleone/ Guerchom Ndebo @guerchomndebo Pic #4 - Studio Davide Monteleone/ Muhammad Fadli @mfimages . . . . #davidemonteleonestudio #documentary #photography #photojournalist #photojournalism #fineartphotography #documentaryphotography #reportage #photodocumentary #natgeo #insidenatgeo #theclimatepledge @sony.italia @sonyalpha @alphauniversebysony.eu

We did it again! This back-to-back news is once again a testament to our team’s talent and dedication. I am thrilled to share that “Critical Minerals - Geography of Energy” is among the shortlisted candidates for the 44th edition of the Leica Oskar Barnack Award created by @leica_camera, one of the most renowned international photography competitions. My sincere gratitude goes to @benedettadonato for nominating my project, it means a lot to me to see my work recognized on such a relevant level. Stay tuned for the next steps of the process. To discover the whole selection and the other shortlisted artists, check out the link in bio. . . . . #davidemonteleonestudio #documentary #photography #photojournalist #photojournalism #fineartphotography #documentaryphotography #reportage #photodocumentary #leica #loba2024