With so many students on campus getting involved with cool things and achieving awesome recognition, it’s impossible to know about everything that’s going on. This week, though, I had the opportunity to talk to University of Richmond junior, Fatima Del Barco, who recently was selected to be a part of a photography exhibit after participating in a state-wide photography contest for her photos (shown below) exemplifying the implications of climate change. Below is our conversation:
Tell me a little about yourself.
My name is Fatima Del Barco but most people around campus know me by Fati. I’m from Lima, Peru, and lived there for almost half my life before moving to the states. I’m currently majoring in Business Administration, Marketing, and double minoring in the Visual Arts and Rhetoric and Communication.
Can you talk a little bit about the contest that you placed for?
So a while back I received an email from the art department here at school about a state-wide contest called Creative Change. The contest, which is sponsored by the Virginia Museum of Science, is meant to represent a collection of work (whether that be photography, sculpture work, videography, etc) that conveys the themes of climate change and resiliency. My work has been selected as top three in the state, and has been put up in the exhibition until the 25th, when they will announce 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
What is the title of this photo series?
Invisible Threats
Where did you get the inspiration for this photo series? What do these photos mean to you?
Invisible Threats is a demonstration of our society’s indifferent attitude towards global climate threats. As a race, we have slowly become seemingly unreceptive to the destruction we have caused to our environment. Rather than attempting to change our lifestyles, we’re taking the simpler route of ignorance, avoidance and adaptation.
The stark contrast between a normal and seemingly peaceful environment with the dark gas mask is meant to catch one off guard. I meant for this project to make people feel uncomfortable, because that’s how they’ll eventually feel responsible.
I hope to continue to add to this project over time, and hopefully reach a larger audience.
How did you get into photography/do you intend to pursue photography?
I actually became interested in photography without realizing it. When I was little I had always thought I was going to grow up to be a wildlife photographer, and somewhere along the way I dismissed it as too unrealistic. But art always was and has continued to be a part of my life. When I got to college I was lucky enough to find people that liked to just go out and take pictures, and I think that really helped me to get into photography.
What does it mean to you to win this contest?
I think it serves as a bit of validation for the work I’ve been doing. It’s also great to reach a larger audience, and especially with work that I truly believe in and that has the capability to make people think about things bigger than simply just another pretty picture.