FOTODOK is proud to announce the solo exhibition Not Bad Intentions. Attempts to Coexist by Sheng-Wen Lo, produced and hosted by EXPOSED Torino Foto Festival (16 April – 2 June 2025).

This exhibition delves into the complex interactions between human and non-human worlds. Lo’s works—spanning video, photography, installation, and participatory projects—investigate societal attitudes toward nature. By examining our perceptions of non-human life, Lo challenges anthropocentric values and attempts to spark critical discussions on coexistence.

At the heart of the space is Matter of Scale (2021-2022), a video installation questioning the large-scale expansion of seaweed farming. Inspired by mainstream narratives that praise the benefits of ocean farming, Lo’s research questions its environmental and cultural complexities; celebrated as a sustainable solution in western countries, the practice’s large-scale adoption in East Asia has triggered worrying ecological disturbances such as algal blooms. Lo’s response invites audiences to reflect on both the risks and unintended consequences of scaling up ‘green’ industries, as well as how we can aspire to tread with greater care.

A second room plays host to two further research-based projects. The first, White Bear (2014-ongoing), examines the lives of captive polar bears in artificial enclosures worldwide, highlighting the dilemmas of ex-situ conservation and zoo management. Through photographs and videos, Lo juxtaposes images of sentient creatures with the artificial settings to which they are confined, highlighting ethological concerns surrounding captivity. The second, Down (2017-2018), traces Lo’s attempt to create a handmade down jacket from feathers he collected in the Netherlands. Testing his garment in the Arctic, Lo’s project establishes a playful commentary on the toll of mass production and the viability of homespun, sustainable alternatives.

Together, Lo’s works inspire discussions as to how human attempts to create sustainable solutions can themselves be riddled with contradictions and complexities. They urge us to consider our daily decisions and ask: How can we stay mindful of our impact on nature? And, amid overlapping contemporary crises, to what extent should humans intervene in the natural world—and how might we rebuild a more viable relationship with it?

FOTODOK is proud to foster and support a long-term dialogue and collaboration with both Sheng-Wen Lo and FUTURES, under whose artistic direction the festival is developed.

Curator: Daria Tuminas

Production: EXPOSED

Supported by: FOTODOK

Editing: George H. King