Yann Arthus-Bertrand: Artist and Environmentalist
At the Rio+20 Sustainable Development Conference, DotGreen was fortunate to meet artist and environmentalist Yann Arthus-Bertrand, known for his use of aerial imagery in environmental pursuits. He connects with viewers about the importance of taking personal responsibility for the future of the planet, and uses the power of art, cinema and photography to touch people’s imagination through their emotion and heart.
Yann Arthus-Bertrand with DotGreen's Jennifer Knoll, a long time admirer of his work
Discussing a formative early project in the French Pavilion at Rio+20, Arthus-Bertrand said his work with aerial photography changed him. Taking photographs from the air, the earth was more beautiful than he expected. He explained that earth is artwork, and the images are his gifts – a way to of raise awareness, and to give back to the earth.
During Rio+20, Arthus-Bertrand premiered his new film “Planet Ocean”, which brings viewers a narrative about the connection between man and ocean, and the future of humans on Earth. The project, directed by Arthus-Bertrand and Michael Pitiot, brings oceanographers, researchers, and biologists from several countries together to portray the significance of the oceans and ways in which we must protect them.
Arthus-Bertrand seeks to inform and educate masses of people around the world. As such, the movies are financed before filming begins, and they are screened for free to the public in theaters and online so that as many people as possible can see and experience nature’s beauty to protect it.
Arthus-Bertrand now serves as a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador, and has partnered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to focus on long-term documentaries. One of his early projects began in 1994, when UNESCO sponsored a photojournalism assignment in which Arthus-Bertrand was to document the state of the Earth. The resulting product included the book ‘Earth From Above’ and an exhibition of photos and video that was displayed in 110 cities, and reached an estimated 120 million people. Among those touched by his work was DotGreen Founder Annalisa Roger, who visited an exhibition during an ICANN meeting in March 2006, a year before DotGreen was founded. She enjoyed an afternoon in a park viewing them in Wellington NZ with her 11 yr old son, both appreciating the breathtaking images.
Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s accomplishments include not only filmmaking and photography, but creation of the organization GoodPlanet, an international NGO working to bring education on sustainable development to all locations and cultures in the world. Yann Arthus-Bertrand brings art and environmental well-being together in way that touches a vast audience. His good work continues to inform and inspire!
