W.E.I.R.D.
Nicolò Rinaldi
Words by Nicolò Rinaldi
W.E.I.R.D. (Wilderness Replication Implicates Rapid Destruction)
“Everything you can imagine, nature has already created.”
This quote, among Albert Einstein’s most famous, is the very essence that drives the study and research of biomimicry today, the scientific discipline that analyzes biological systems in nature to replicate their designs and processes, finding technological solutions for industry and research. A concept already present in past narratives.
The myth of Daedalus and his son Icarus, who built wings of wax to escape the labyrinth, is a perfect example of how, by emulating elements found in nature, humans can overcome the most difficult obstacles. However, after their escape, Icarus, driven by enthusiasm, flew too close to the sun, melting the wax wings and plunging into the sea.
Ancient Greek mythology vividly illustrates the tragic consequences when daring to challenge the limits imposed by nature.
W.E.I.R.D. is a visual essay, started in 2023, that investigates the relationship between humans and nature, inviting us to reflect on their coexistence.
Within this personal investigation, the photographs show various approaches adopted by humans to replicate natural elements in artificial environments.
Nicolò Rinaldi
Nicolò Rinaldi (1995) is an italian documentary and commercial photographer, founder of Lucid Dreams creative studio. After experimenting with landscapes and outdoor photography, he currently has several documentary and street photography works in development, both personal and commissioned. In recent years, he has traveled to document the phenomenon of overtourism with a humorous approach, developing his own narrative style characterized by irony and grotesque elements. In 2023 he started a personal investigation of the relationship between humans and nature, focusing on the impact that anthropogenic infrastructures have on the earth and the surrounding environment. In 2024 he received the STRATEGIA FOTOGRAFIA fellowship with the project W.E.I.R.D., promoted by DGCC – Direzione Generale Creatività Contemporanea (Italian Ministry of Culture).
At the same time, he works in the fashion industry for campaigns, special projects and selected events. He is available for commercial and editorial commissions in Milan, around Italy and beyond.
