A Conversation with Caterina Maina

Who Will Be Left When the Forests Burn and the Fields Flood?

BFA, Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Spring 2020

KP: What was your reasoning for the variety of both B&W and Color Images?

CM: Color is definitely a strong component to this work. It allows me to distort and recontextualize environments. The decision to make some images black and white had mostly to do with trying to connect the figure more with the landscape. Specifically the one of the figure with the seaweed, I wanted it to seem as if it was a physical part of the figure rather than just an object placed upon her.

KP: What is your hope for this work?

CM: My main hope for the work is to encourage the viewer to re-evaluate the relationship one has with the environment, the ideology we have formed around nature, and the impact many humans have had on the earth. This project has stemmed from my own anxieties about what we are facing with the climate crisis and how we have detached ourselves from the underlying principle of the issue: that earth itself will survive this damage but we, and many other species, may not. I have been working on text to accompany the body of work that delves deeper into this feeling and contextualizes it a bit more. This work is still very much in progress, but I hope that people are able to connect emotionally to the imagery. Though the underlying message is about the climate crisis, it is not my intention for it to be obvious. I want the viewer to interact with the images and create their own responses to the environments I create. There seems to be a lack of comprehension in how interconnected everything is. I wish to explore this connectedness between humans and the environment, and reveal the anguish, as well as the beauty, within it.

KP: Where would be the perfect place to exhibit this series?

CM: I haven't thought too much about where I could exhibit this project quite yet. I definitely could see it in a gallery space, but not in a conventional way. I wouldn't want it to be just framed pieces on walls, I would want it to be more interactive with some type of installation present. Video and sound are something I have just started to incorporate into the work and would love to integrate it with the images. Thinking about all the creative and interesting ways artists are dealing with the climate crisis and sustainability in exhibitions gets me excited to think about one day showcasing the work in a way that aligns with the message.

KP: Do you share some of the thoughts along with the imagery that you have that has led to this work? ( Like writings, sketches, etc)

CM: I write and read often about this topic. Many of my personal writings stem from my septic feelings towards the issue as well as some conversations I've had with people. Though I haven't figured out how to accompany the words with the images, I know it will be an important component to the work.

KP: Is the location supposed to be ambiguous? If so why?

CM: Though the type of landscape does place it in a general location, I aim to keep location open so people can relate to it more. The feelings related to climate change and the impacts we are dealing with is not limited to specific places, though some areas and people are effected more than others.

KP: What would be one key thing with this series you would touch upon in an artist talk?

CM: Everything is connected and, with the climate crisis, we need to understand this more than ever and dismantle the hierarchy we have towards the human race. There seems to be a disconnect with the reality of this crisis and its impact on our species. We hear many sayings like: "We are killing the planet" and so on, which is partially true, but in reality we are bringing ourselves down a path of destruction. The earth has survived many battles and always regrows from the disaster it faces. I believe, as a society, we need to understand how personal this issue really is and to not change our ways just for the earth, but for ourselves and our future survival. My images look into the physical and mental despair that we will face, and are facing, if we do not work to change our fate. We must recognize how interconnected everything is on this planet and work with the earth rather than against it.