The distant, intangible cloud is the key image of the rapid digitization of our society. Everything has an immaterial appearance. Yet behind the screens, an industry with very real consequences is at work. Clouds dig into the earth, scar rivers and people, suck up water.
The aim of this project is to bear witness to the materiality of digital technology. From the ex- traction of the metals needed for terminals to the recycling of our everyday objects, not forgetting the cables that connect us all lurking at the bottom of the oceans.
For the past year and a half, I've been exploring the different material facets of digital technology.
In Chili the world's biggest copper mine Chuquicamata and daily life in the mining city of Calama.
In Spain the contamination of the Rio Tinto and Odiel by mining activities, responsible for 40% of all Zinc and 10% of all copper in world's oceans.
In France the recycling of our digital products.