Aqua Mater by Salgado in Genoa: A Dive into Environmental Reflections

A Photographic Exploration of the Importance of Water

In the heart of Genoa, in the evocative portico of Palazzo Ducale, “Aqua Mater” comes to life, a photographic exhibition by Sebastião Salgado that invites a profound dialogue with planet Earth through the lens of water. Inaugurated in conjunction with UNESCO’s World Water Day, the exhibition will be open to the public until July 14, 2024, proposing a path of reflection and awareness on the human footprint and responsibility towards safeguarding our world.

Lélia Wanick Salgado, the photographer’s professional and life partner, curated the work, which consists of 42 large format black and white images that traverse emblematic places on our planet—from Brazil to Russia, from Alaska to India—narrating water stories on a journey that embraces geographical and cultural diversity.

François Bernard Mâche’s sound compositions accompany the photographs, emphasizing the visceral connection between humanity and the aquatic element.

The director of Palazzo Ducale, Ilaria Bonacossa, underlines the importance of the initiative as a catalyst for greater social awareness of urgent environmental issues.

Each of the four sections of the exhibition itinerary focuses on a distinct manifestation of water and its effects on human life and the terrestrial ecosystem.

These sections range from the hydration of the planet to the challenges of the water crisis, from the daily lives of communities directly dependent on water to the discovery of animal species that inhabit the most remote and inhospitable regions of the globe.

Beppe Costa, president of Palazzo Ducale, highlights how “Aqua Mater” not only offers an artistic glimpse of rare beauty but also represents an opportunity for profound reflection on the themes of water, the environment, and our role within them in a city like Genoa, historically linked to the sea.

Additionally, the Genoa Aquarium will display some images from the exhibition, expanding the environmental awareness message to a broader audience.