Fault Line, a project by the duo Ana Zibelnik and Jakob Ganslmeier, explores the fragility of our collective resilience, which is being undermined by a polarized society. Far from merely documenting the physical consequences of climate change, the work represents an intelligent investigation into the psychological effects of eco-anxiety, particularly prevalent among youth who increasingly harbor doubts about their future.

Zibelnik and Ganslmeier are interested in this inner layer of documentation, not the ones from drone’s perspective. By tracing the stories of young climate activists, human rights defenders, those affected by climate devastation, and even climate-change deniers, they delve into the polarizing effects of climate issues from a psychological standpoint. Their territorial focus lies in Southern Europe, where they also collect interviews and present a journal-style narrative enriched with visual elements and texts, adding another dimension to the project as a whole. For some, climate fear is paralyzing, while for others, it serves as a catalyst for action.

Zibelnik and Ganslmeier wrote in their project statement: “Fault Line portrays the impact of the climate crisis in Europe by examining the myriad responses within society. From migration driven by environmental factors, eco-anxiety, and activism on the one hand to the troubling surge of populist rhetoric on the other, it questions how the accelerating rhythm of disasters leads to a deepening of polarization and erodes our collective resilience. 

Our primary motivation is to present a society-focused visual representation of the climate crisis. Images of environmental devastation are often captured from a distance — by drones or are focused on the overall scope of natural and infrastructural damage. What interests us is a closer examination of such situations — how do extreme climate events impact individuals? How does the fear arising from such conditions contribute to the emergence of hateful ideologies?” 

The jury of Kranj Foto Fest Open Call 2024 acknowledged Ana Zibelnik and Jakob Ganslmeier’s Fault Line for its remarkable ability to address multiple layers of our collective resilience’s fragility. They also highlighted the ongoing nature of the project as a positive aspect, recognizing its potential for further exploration and expansion.