Ulysses Aoki’s photography project, "Fire and Ice," delivers a profound visual interpretation of Robert Frost's iconic poem, embracing its duality and extending its implications to the present era.
Aoki navigates the delicate interplay between oppositional forces—fire and ice, warmth and coldness—manifesting not just their physical attributes but their symbolic resonance. The project critically engages with themes of environmental destruction, anthropogenic catastrophes, and the perennial fragility of human existence.
The project visually echoes Frost’s poetic contemplation of apocalyptic scenarios—fire representing rapid, aggressive destruction, akin to war, and ice symbolizing the silent, creeping demise, evocative of hatred or neglect. Aoki's work transcends mere allegory, embedding these elements into a contemporary context marred by climate disasters, the ongoing ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the brutal conflict in Ukraine.
As a millennial, Aoki's personal history is deeply interwoven with the project. The artist’s formative experience during the 3.11 earthquake and subsequent nuclear crisis in Fukushima profoundly influenced his outlook on the precariousness of life and the environment. This traumatic event catalyzed his commitment to sustainability and environmental advocacy. However, the recurrent waves of global crises—COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine—reinforced his understanding of humanity's vulnerability and the transient nature of our perceived securities.
"Fire and Ice" compels viewers to confront the illusion of permanence in their lives. By drawing parallels between personal experiences and collective traumas, Aoki invokes a sense of shared existential dread while also critiquing humanity's role in its self-destruction.
Fire and Ice
“Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.”
- Robert Frost
