From April 2 to 27, 2025, the Natural History Museum of Milan will host the world premiere of BREATHTAKING, an installation conceived by internationally acclaimed photographer Fabrizio Ferri. Born from his personal reflection on the devastating impact of plastics and microplastics in the oceans, the work merges art and environmental activism into an unprecedented immersive experience. At the heart of the installation are 12 large-scale portraits of exceptional figures such as Helena Christensen, Misty Copeland, Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Gala Gonzalez, Julianne Moore, Bridget Moynahan, Carolyn Murphy, Isabella Rossellini, Susan Sarandon, and Naomi Watts, transformed by plastic waste. The evocative setup, symbolizing the fragility of aquatic ecosystems, features raw iron nails, a glass coffin filled with seawater, and headphones specially designed by Marina Abramović, creating a dialogue between art and ecological awareness.
Ferri’s “breathless” portraits plunge visitors into the deafening silence of the abyss, where marine species “cry out” their suffering. Promoted by the City of Milan-Cultural Department and produced by Nobile Agency and the Natural History Museum, in collaboration with the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Milan and supported by Euromobiliare Credem, BREATHTAKING is an ambitious project using art to raise awareness about the planet’s future. The installation is part of the official 2025 Milan Art Week program. Coinciding with the event, Fabrizio Ferri will present “FIN QUI. Fotografia di una vita” (published by Rizzoli), a book tracing his artistic journey through iconic shots, extraordinary encounters, and reflections on photography as a tool for human connection.
