Water - The Foundation of Life

This project aims to draw attention to the problem of water resource scarcity on our planet. By 2050, more than 70% of the Earth's population will reside in cities. The main challenge will be providing people with quality drinking water and solving wastewater issues. Current estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that about 25% of diseases worldwide are linked to inadequate water quality due to pollution. More than 80% of wastewater globally is returned to the environment without proper treatment. Access to Drinking Water: According to WHO and UNICEF, in 2022, only 71% of the world's population had access to safe drinking water. In developing countries, the issue of access to clean drinking water remains critical. Plastic Waste: Every minute, a million plastic bottles are bought worldwide, and 91% of all plastic waste is not recycled. Studies have shown that microplastics can even be found in drinking water. Climate Change and Water Resources: Climate change could lead to deteriorating water quality and an increase in events like droughts and floods. Approximately 25% of the global population will face freshwater scarcity due to climate changes. Sanitation: Over 2 billion people worldwide lack access to adequate sanitation, negatively affecting the quality of drinking water. Outdated Infrastructure: In developing countries, outdated water supply and sewage infrastructure can lead to leaks and contamination of drinking water. The ecological disaster caused by the blowing up of the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine in June 2023 further demonstrated the fragility of the planet's water ecosystem. The majestic city of London, closely linked to water throughout its history, served as the backdrop for this media project. The project comprises photographs taken on bridges, symbolizing the connection between the future and the past. The photographs depict the hustle of the big city, where we are transformed by heat and saved by water. At the center of each photograph stands a motionless figure holding water, with recognizable elements of London's architecture in the background, flanked by a river of people on either side. Water symbolizes eternity and a cornerstone for humanity. We emerged from water, are 60% composed of water, and cannot survive without it. No city can live without water. In the summer heat of a sweltering city, water is life. But this resource is literally slipping through people's fingers, carried away by the human river. The project was presented in Cologne, Germany, on October 28, 2023. I am grateful to the models who endured these shoots and became participants in the project. My greatest thanks go to my daughter, Anna, whose support and help are invaluable to me.