Interview: Alfons Rodriguez - Photographer & Film Maker

Tell us about your journey to becoming a world-renowned photographer.

It has been an exciting journey for over thirty years since I started. A journey that at times has been inspiring and at other times difficult and even disappointing, but the world has those two faces: Beauty and goodness on some occasions, horror and cruelty on others. And above all, it has been a journey that starts from my conception of the world, a place to discover, its diversity, the differences, the distant... all that is what led me to become a photographer. In short, my passion for wanting to explain the world to whoever wanted to listen.

You photographed your The Melting Age project in 7 continents and over 30 countries.  Tell us about your thoughts, feelings, determination, challenges, impulses that brought about your Melting Age project.  How long did it take you to compile this body of work?

THE MELTING AGE, a film by Alfons Rodríguez & José Bautista

The Melting Age project was carried out over more than twenty years, at a time when global warming and climate change were just starting to be discussed. It has truly been a challenge because portraying the climate emergency is complicated due to the many places, problems, and corners we might lose or save if we confront it, making it difficult to address it in its entirety.

This work has taken me across seven continents and over thirty countries. While working on The Melting Age, I've experienced very contradictory feelings. Sometimes I feel hopeful seeing people fighting to reverse the situation, and other times I feel the despair of those who think the fight is lost and that there's nothing to be done.

Your Melting Age project was featured in a sustainable architectural conference in March this year in New York City. Tell us about this conference and the importance of sustainability in the structures man builds on this earth.

We are more than eight billion people living on the planet and consuming its natural resources. Where and how these people live is of vital importance from an ecological and sustainable perspective. Just think about the resources used in the countless millions of homes or in all the infrastructure that's built to facilitate a more comfortable way of life, i.e., architectural methods. Therefore, we must change our mindset and be aware that resources are not inexhaustible. Precisely, I have addressed this issue with The Melting Age to raise awareness.

Your The Melting Age project was featured for a month as part of the “Art to Save the Planet” Art Show held at 33 Maiden Lane, the NYC Federal Reserve Building, during Earth Month April, an EarthDay.Org event. Tell us how your work ended up on exhibit at the NYC Federal Reserve Building for a month.

After launching the project at COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, the opportunity to exhibit it in New York at a place as significant as the Federal Reserve Building arose, which for me is a privilege and an honor. This has been possible thanks to people like Selva Ozelli, Izzy Church, and Sofía Fonseca.

In fact, the entire body of work of The Melting Age and other projects I've carried out throughout my career are inconceivable without the support of many people and organizations related to the various topics I've addressed. The exhibition is currently in New York, but it will soon travel to Belgium, Chile, and Spain, among other countries.

Your The Melting Age project is on exhibit at Fulton Center in New York City as part of the UNESCO OCEAN DECADE TIDES OF CHANGE WAVES OF HOPE Art Show for three months from Earth Day to Plastic Free July which can be seen by 15 million people. Tell us about the importance of availing your project to the views of the general public and the Ocean’s role in global warming.

Having your work seen by millions of people is more than one could ask for or expect. The essence of a documentary photographer's work lies precisely in ensuring their message reaches as many people as possible.

The health of the oceans plays a crucial role in the future of humanity. We must not forget that the misnamed planet Earth should be called the planet Water. The preservation of the oceans is the preservation of the planet and humanity.

You will exhibit your The Melting Age project in Beacon, New York, at Howland Cultural Center during Climate Week New York --one of the largest of many Climate Week events around the world throughout the year -- from August 10 to September 29, 2024.  What message do you want to send to those in attendance of Climate Week NYC, an event that has taken place every year in New York City since 2009 and runs alongside the UN General Assembly that brings together international leaders from business, government, and civil society to showcase global climate action. 

The message I would like to send is that it's enough talking. We need to take action. We have had almost three decades of international conferences to fight global warming, precisely the three decades during which the situation has worsened the most and the climate crisis has become more acute. There is no time left; it is time to act.

Will you exhibit at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) this year?  Where else can people see your “The Melting Age” Project?

It's too early to say, but that's the intention since it had the opportunity to be seen at COP28.

The exhibition is traveling, so it will be visiting cities in different countries.

Tell us about any other environmental projects you are working on.

This is the only environmental project I have underway, but in the coming months, I plan to start a new work on how the Mediterranean Sea and the countries around it are being affected by climate change.

Tell us about your collaboration with TEIDUMA Organization.

TEIDUMA is an organization that works on sustainable processes, so our goals and objectives are the same. Their support is of great value in spreading my message.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Anthropogenic Climate Change is something we humans have caused. It is our responsibility to reduce or stop it as soon as possible through local actions or by pressuring governments to act globally.

How can people reach you?

People can reach me on social networks (@alfonsrodriguez),  through email (armphoto@armphoto.com) and, of course, on the website https://www.alfonsrodriguez.com/