The Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival is an annual event, open to the public, that features exhibitions and installations across the city of Toronto (Tkaronto). The organization is known for its inclusivity and accessibility, as they cultivate collaborations with and among artists, curators, institutions and organizations. This year marks the 25th anniversary of CONTACT, and photographers have been asked to reflect themes of intense upheaval of the present day and global awakenings that have inspired hopeful futures.
Looking to the future, Photographers Without Borders asked members to reimagine what the world could look like for this year’s exhibit. What if we made space for diverse voices and developed a new vision for the years to come? Our members poured thought and creativity into their contributions. Their images not only reflect a fresh perspective of the world, but reimagine a future for people, communities, living beings and the land we all inhabit.
The following photos reimagine nature as the heart and soul of our lives, urging people to realize their connection to their natural world. In order to fully understand how respect for the land can transform our lives, we must continue to embrace the different ways in which we connect with the outdoor world. We must protect the lands and waters which we inhabit in order to ensure nature is the foundation of the future.
Each photographer shares how this connection plays out in their image and encourages viewers to embrace the different ways in which we connect with the outdoor world. To ensure nature is the foundation of the future, we must fight to protect the lands and waters which we inhabit.
Tatiana Lopez
Tatiana Lopez is a photographer, multidisciplinary artist, and visual anthropologist whose work focuses on the roles place and memory play in the construction and deconstruction of identity, the body as a medium of expression, and the interconnectedness between humans and nature. Her research interests include Indigenous people’s animistic practices, body-territory relations in connection to Indigeneity, and the study of human/non-human relations through dreams.
“In the same way that stories develop and unfold in the material world, our dreams can access past memories that create a collective essence to be carried by our bodies. As bodies collect memories and share stories, our territories can also be shaped from reconstructed stories, collective memories and attachments to our environments. This photo is part of a project called Makinu Nuka - I Dream, which explores the question of how dreams re-introduce us to our sacred commitment to the earth at a time when we have become separated from our divine source.” - Tatiana Lopez
Pascaline Le Bras
With interests in photojournalism, landscapes, wildlife and abstract imagery, Pascaline’s craft has evolved focuses on portraiture and performing arts. Her deep connection with music and dance led to her collaboration with artists in Toronto, which allowed her to discover a little more about herself and the path she's paving for her artistic ventures. Photography as a creative medium has allowed her to share her love for the simple things in life, the infinite beauty of our world and its impactful human interactions.
“What will it look like to travel after a pandemic? We used to take a flight to escape crowded cities, but will we now simply travel to look for human connections? The world is in the midst of a rebirth, redefining priorities and leaving what no longer serves us as human beings. This image captured in Ethiopia during my last trip before the pandemic is a reflection of this awakening, in hope to reimagine the future of travel.” - Pascaline Le Bras
Keri Oberly
Keri Oberly is a photographer, cinematographer and activist based in Ventura, California. She collaborates on environmental, Indigenous rights and food-related stories.
“Looking north up the Chandalar River to the Brooks Range, the village of Vashrąįį K'ǫǫ (Arctic Village), Alaska, USA, sits just outside the southern border of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. For decades, the Gwich’in have been fighting to protect this sacred land against oil and gas development. They have survived off this land since time immemorial.” - Keri Oberly
Pengkuei Ben Huang
Pengkuei Ben Huang is a Taiwanese/Canadian photographer based in Toronto, Canada. His interest lies in utilizing photography as a medium to form a narrative that explores the interrelationship between people and their environments.
“The Japanese Government has been building 400km of seawalls in the Northeastern region after the 2011 tsunami. Questions however, have been raised whether it will fend off future tsunami effectively.” - Pengkuei Ben Huang
Alexa Cole
Alexa Cole is a nature based conservation photographer and artist who lives in the Pacific Northwest. Her creative work brings the magical world above, below and in-between water into people's everyday spaces. Her conservation work tells the story of humanity's ever-changing impact on the world around them. This work is hope-based, with the intent of showing others what is happening so that they can be aware and take the steps needed to move forward in better ways.
“A family in Oregon (USA) watches in dismay as the waves wash ashore millions of pieces of plastic. The coast in this state is known for its rugged beauty, as well as for being wild and pristine. That reputation is in danger as increasing amounts of plastic debris from the "Giant Pacific Garbage Patch" wash ashore each year with winter storms. Locals are fighting back through organizations such as SOLVE and Surfrider to host clean-ups, pass laws to ban single-use plastic items, educate people about options to reduce waste and reform consumption.” - Alexa Cole
Nicole Cyhelka
Nicole Cyhelka is a lifelong photographer, and engineer by trade, based in Toronto, Canada. She is a passionate storyteller who dedicates herself to "visionary storytelling"—seeking and creating opportunities to tell stories of leaders who create projects and organizations that illustrate solutions for building a world that works for everyone and the environment.
“Nicole’s photo explores the relationship between humanity and nature, particularly during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people, including herself, sought solace in the natural world, where the regular rhythms and cycles provided grounding and stability in a turbulent, uncertain time. Her otherworldly self-portrait symbolizes the peace of surrendering oneself to nature." - Nicole Cyhelka
Discover more images and stories from photographers around the world in our virtual REIMAGINE exhibition.
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