Clément Poché's 'Fix Nature': A Visual Commentary on Ecological Dilemmas
Written by Oman Morí
French photographer Clément Poché's series "Fix Nature” presents a thought-provoking commentary on humanity's relationship with the environment. In a world grappling with environmental issues, Poché's arresting work features dying plants ensnared in tape, creating a surreal tableau where nature and synthetic elements collide. Through his lens, he forces us to confront the consequences of our ecological choices, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The use of tape, a symbol of quick fixes, serves as a metaphor for our approach to environmental problems. Dying flora, though surrounded by artificial materials, seems suffocated within the frame, reminding viewers of the superficiality of many environmental solutions. Poché's still-life compositions, while visually stunning, shed light on the shallowness of treating ecological issues like putting on a band-aid, rather than addressing their root causes.
For several years now, Clément has worked in this series that reveals the tension between plastic and ecology. Here, synthetic elements compel lifeless plants to dance in a spectacle, challenging us to reconsider our approach to preserving nature.” Fixing nature with duct tape is an illusory undertaking," comments. "It reduces nature to a mere deteriorated and diminished object, promoting a DIY approach filled with uncertainty and improvisation." This underscores the incongruity of using plastic, a substance damaging to the environment, to mend the very nature it harms. Rather than offering an alternative, Poché's work compares the scars of human activity to a sticky and adhesive material.
The vivid colors in his work compel viewers to delve deeper, encouraging an examination of the underlying message. The images may appear beautiful at first glance, but they serve as a stark reminder of our collective ignorance when it comes to ecological issues. Clement's portfolio blurs the lines between plastic and documentary photography, in a way to convey a range of emotions.
His explorations center on the profound questions that link humanity and its environment, forming a captivating body of work that transcends traditional photographic genres. For further insight into the series or the photographer's portfolio, you can visit Clément Poché's website or engage with his work on social media.
