honorable mention
Lior Sperandeo united kingdom
title
IDAI
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entry description
In March 2019, the tropical Cyclone "Idai" hit the Mozambique shores, one of the most devastating storms to affect the Southern Hemisphere. The cyclone caused catastrophic damage to an already poverty-stricken country, creating a large scale humanitarian crisis. Communities residing on the beach facing the Indian Ocean were among those affected the most. The “Idai” photo series was created in the aftermath of the storm, documenting the residents of "Praia Nova", a slum by the sea, in Mozambique’s capital, Beira. The residents of Praia Nova lost their homes, source of nutrition and in many cases their families as well. The intimate moments documented in this series, such as brushing hair, broiling or awakening from short night sleep, were suddenly mesmerizing, as they were captured amongst the recks and almost as though the walls were still standing. With aid efforts focused elsewhere, reconstruction seemed a truly complicated task, as it required resources that are not available to the Praia Nova residents. As such, the series examines the impact of climate change from a human perspective solely, highlighting how impoverished communities will be the first to suffer from it, and the last in their preparedness to deal with it. At times like these (COVID19), when the world must stay at home, the series takes on new meanings. We tend to conceptualize 'home' as our anchor, but in fact, isn't it a mirror for all the changes in our lives, and our ability to deal with them?about the photographer
A visual storyteller, Lior Sperandeo is a photographer and cinematographer based in the UK. His studio is exteritorial, as he documents different communities around the world, often in post disaster and conflict areas. Maintaining lines of simplicity and soft lighting, he depicts in an aesthetic aura tha ‘un-aesthetic’, calling to re- examine human compassion. In his online platform, "People of", he publicates his photographic essays, making unheard stories resound. By translating human stories into a visual collection, he aims to spark an interest and dialogue with and within different cultures. Amongst his most outstanding works are “People of Nowhere” short film, “Bones” photo series, “Idai” photos series and “Water” photo series.back to gallery