Art

Human societies threatening the Earth

The admirable exhibition 'Parallel Realities' - promoted by the United Nations at the Milan Triennale - presents painful and beautiful photocomposites on the suffering planet

22 July 2025

3' min read

Four children holding hands and a painful fracture of image from colour to black and white, reminding everyone of their responsibilities: three of the children are happily walking along, the fourth - in shock - is wandering through the devastation of the Kanyaruchinya refugee camp in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Uğur Gallenkuş

The collage, entitled 'Winter Break is Over', is the work of Turkish artist Uğur Gallenkuş. The work, several composites all with a strong impact, is part of the "Parallel Realities" project at the centre of the exhibition promoted by the United Nations and hosted at the Milan Triennale.

United Nations SDG Action Campaign

The United Nations SDG Action Campaign on the Sustainable Development Goals is participating in the 24th International Expo at the Milan Triennale with a dedicated Pavilion.

If with "What a Wonderful World" the reference is to the savage exploitation of the landscape and resources - a man gazes at the horizon in an asphyxiating panorama of smokestacks obscuring the view, to the point of literally taking the viewers' breath away - with "Last Tree Standing" a tree in a lush green meadow contrasts with a parched and parched land, symbolising the damage inflicted on the forests by the reckless action of immense deforestation as well as the damage caused by climate change; and then the photo expressly dedicated to Milan presents a fashion catwalk that continues with the long line of refugees along a river in Bagladesh, a plastic image of the inequalities that are destabilising humanity.

An exhibition that is an encounter/clash with the harshest realities caused by inequalities such as the more than unfair allocation of resources in favour of a privileged few, while a large part of human beings suffer deprivation or the non-respect of fundamental rights.

Le Realtà paralle di una Terra che soffre
Photogallery6 foto

Hope

Yet these stark realities in no way close the door to hope, transformation and action for a more equitable society and a less outraged earth; the exhibition itself constitutes a process of witnessing with the aim of instilling the awareness that is prodromal to action for a more sustainable and equitable world.

"Parallel realities is not just an exhibition; it is an urgent call to rethink the systems that perpetuate inequality in the world," explains Marina Ponti, Global Director United Nations Sdg Action Campaign, in a subdued yet convincing tone of someone who believes deeply in what she is witnessing. And again: "this Pavilion is a demonstration of the power of art, storytelling and collective action in addressing the most pressing issues of our time," Ponti adds, describing one by one Gallenkuş's collages, which explore the stark divide between privilege and oppression globally, interweaving the themes of economic inequality and exclusion, climate injustice and lack of access to healthy food, as well as gender inequality, offering a raw, no-nonsense perspective on the complexity of the human experience.

Human societies

Because each collage is a powerful commentary on the fractured condition of human societies and the urgent need for change in the deepest structures. Indeed, systemic inequality remains one of the world's great challenges, deeply rooted in historical and structural barriers that perpetuate exclusion in societies.

"Through my works, I want to make the invisible visible and contrast the privilege of some with the suffering of others," comments Gallenkuş . "Parallel Realities highlights the interconnectedness of our worlds and highlights the importance of empathy to drive change."

The tour continues with the 'Hope in Action' section, where visitors meet changemakers and hear their stories through engaging multimedia storytelling. The changemakers are individuals who fight for equality and justice every day, showing visitors the possibilities for hope and change.

The tour ends with an invitation to visitors to move from reflection to action via the interactive UN Act Now platform that combines art and technology to change individual behaviour and build fairer and more sustainable societies.

"Parallel Realities', Milan, Triennale, until 9 November

Stefano Biolchiniredattore
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Luogo: Milano
Lingue parlate: Inglese, Francese
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