Frank Linders : "Only after the last tree has been cut down..." social critique and scarily relevant images inspired by the Cree's wise words

'Only after the last tree has been cut down / Only after the last river has been poisoned / Only after the last fish has been caught / Then will you find that money cannot be eaten.' Cree first nation saying

Tragically, the new pictures by photographer Frank Linders are now incredibly relevant due to the terrible catastrophes in Japan.

His idea emerged in relation to the quoted saying by the Cree first nations. Inspired by the quote from the year 1851, models Diana A. and Anastasia T. as well as actors Michael Kaphengst, Ninoschka Schlothauer and Michael Schumacher conveyed their vision from the world’s state after an eventual depletion of all livelihoods.

In order to visually depict the desperation and astonishment of the people, Frank chose the famous pose for Willy Brandt’s genuflection. It embodies admission of humankind’s guilt in a particularly impressive manner.

The minimalist styling by Jennifer Hahn and the disturbing hair & make-up by Marlen Pötschulat emphasises the saying’s underlying wisdom. Despite popular and widespread assumptions, the saying by the Cree is not of first nation origin, at least not in that form.

The slogan emerged from the vicinity of environmental activists – the self-proclaimed ‘Rainbow Warriors’.