Launching soon in Bryant Park is a month-long exhibition by photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand that coincides with the global Earth Day celebration. 120 large-scale aerial photos will be displayed vertically along the park’s walkways in not-so-subtle reference to The Gates, the public art installation by Christo and Jeanne-Claude that hit Manhattan in 2005. Arthus-Bertrand, a UN Environmental Program Goodwill Ambassador, aims to “illuminate” Earth’s beauty while inspiring audiences to care for the planet’s natural resources. Also, his colorful, abstract prints are really, really pretty. Click through for a preview of “Earth From Above.”
Though the Bryant Park exhibition has been postponed from its original April 2 start date, the exhibition is intended for wide view, and Arthus-Bertrand envisions his images traveling throughout other US cities in 2010. Each photo is accompanied by captions that link the image to the environmental and social issues at stake, “inviting the onlooker to consider sustainable development as the solution to the challenges brought into focus.” On the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, this April 22, Arthus-Bertrand’s imagery presents a compelling argument for sustaining the planet as we know it.
All photos courtesy of Yann Arthus-Bertrand. This exhibition is sponsored by Picture Earth; follow along for updates via the blog here and check out a video teaser below.
Earth From Above is coming to New York City from Picture Earth on Vimeo.