Page 30 - DIVA_No.23_2006

Yann Arthus-Bertrand

joins forces with ISDR to promote

disaster risk reduction

Others" and sent three camera-
men throughout the world to
meet the people who live with-
in the places he photographed
from the air
Yann ARTHUS-BERTRAND
passed through the United
Nations in Geneva on 22
November, where he participat-
ed in a conference on disaster
reduction management organ-
ized by the International
Strategy for Disaster Reduction
(ISDR). He participated in a
cocktail to launch the calendar
"Prevention starts at home" and
was leaving that same evening
for Paris where he was attend-
ing a charity dinner for the
NGO "Aviation sans Frontiers"
Despite his busy schedule, he
kindly took the time to grant us
an interview.
Q: We have all seen the photos
Yann ARTHUS-BERTRAND France" - an event and a book. that you have given to Doctors
is probably one of the most As his passion for aerial pho- without Borders, Aviation
well-known photographers in tography developed, his work without Borders and ISDR,
the world today. His photos of was recognized internationally which were made into
the Earth have been exhibited and his pictures have been pub- Christmas cards and calendars
all over the planet. Let us first lished in famed reviews, such to raise funds. Why do you
quote from his long and impres- as Paris-Match, Geo, Life, engage in these types of activi-
sive biography. National
Geographic
ties?
Magazine, etc.
Yann ARTHUS-BERTRAND There are so many people out
has always had a passion for In 1991, he created ALTI- there—volunteers in particu-
nature and, at the age of 30, he TUDE, a visual data bank of lar—doing tremendous and fan-
moved to Kenya with his wife, aerial views assembling the tastic work, so the least I can do
Anne, in order to study the work of photographers from all is support them. You know, the
behaviour of lions in the Massai parts of the world. In 1995, more notoriety you get, the
Mara Reserve. Feeling the need under the patronage of the more people request your sup-
to tell the facts through images Ecological Science Department port or assistance. When you do
rather than writing, he then of UNESCO, he embarked the type of work that I do, the
truly became a photographer. upon the ambitious project of least I can hope is to become a
This experience is at the origin creating a scientific data bank good humanitarian. I adore par-
of his first book, Lions (1981), of the Earth seen from above ticipating in these events and I
and gives him the opportunity entitled "the man and the bios- don't think it does my work any
to discover the beauty of the phere". This continuing survey harm. On the contrary, I think it
world from the air aboard a hot- of the planet's ecosystems seen raises the value. So the only
air balloon. from a new angle still consti- thing I would like to say is:
tutes an important part of his "thank you".
Upon his return to France, he work; it is reflected in exhibi-
became a photo-journalist spe- tions and publications allowing Q: You said earlier today that
cializing in adventure, sports the public at large to better when you started taking photos
and nature. He has covered ten comprehend sustainable devel-
editions of the Paris-Dakar opment and what is at stake from the air, it changed your
life. In what sense?
rally, produced each year the there. In parallel, Yann Arthus-
Roland Garros yearbook and Bertrand carries on with the It is true that since I started
took photographs of nature systematic inventory of house
lovers, such as Dian Fossey and pets and domestic breeds, pho- doing this work fifteen years
ago, it has really changed my
her mountain gorillas in tographing animals in the stu-
Rwanda. In 1989, he decided to dio or outdoors against a canvas life. I have strong convic-
gather together 100 of the best backdrop. Finally, in 2003, he tions—or perhaps you could
French photographers and launched the project "6 Billion rather say that I understand the
organize "Three days in huge importance of sustainable
28 12006 Diva