Photos and Q&A by Domenica Bucalo
How old are you?
Let’s just say I’m proudly middle-aged.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I didn’t have a specific career in mind as a child, but I was always driven by curiosity and a sense of adventure. Traveling the world captured my imagination early on, and soon the arts came into play—first music, then photography.
What has been an influential experience in your life as an artist?
In the early 1990s, I moved to London and ended up living there for a couple of years. The experiences I had and the people I met there really shaped my growth as an artist. I immersed myself in London’s vibrant culture and got to test the waters creatively.
How did your Arctic Project start?
Photography is all about seeing and being seen—it lets us explore the mysteries of light through the camera. A lot of my work questions what’s visible and invisible, our relationship with nature, and what we try to hide when things become too hard to face. Waste management has always been a major social issue, especially since the invention of plastics, which break down into tiny pieces and spread through ecosystems. This material we rely on so much has changed every part of life, but like all technology, it has a downside. When I was selected for an artist residency sailing through the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, I wondered if plastic particles could be found that far north. So I designed and built a net-tow device to collect water samples from the ocean surface in that harsh environment. “Voyage of Acceptance” is a short film that documents that journey.
Can you tell us about your recent NASA collaboration?
After returning to New York, I reached out to Dr. Dierssen, who leads the Coastal Ocean Laboratory for Optics and Remote Sensing at the University of Connecticut. Her team was already researching microplastics on the sea surface and found my project interesting. They helped me analyze my samples using complex, time-consuming methods like SEM and FTIR, which identified fragments and fibers of different synthetic materials. A few years later, they told me about their proposal to NASA—a remote sensing study to measure microplastics from satellites—and invited me to collaborate on imagery for public outreach. Art can be a vital partner to science, helping communicate complex ideas that go beyond hard data. I began documenting plastic debris in New York’s waterways and gradually shifted my focus to how light interacts with the atmosphere and water, looking at factors like clouds, aerosols, sun glint, foam, ice, sediment, and wind that affect how we detect plastic from space. We eventually exhibited the work at the Alexey Von Schlippe Gallery at UConn, had a second show in St. Petersburg, Florida during the International Ocean Colour Science Meeting, and some pieces were included in a group show at the United Nations headquarters.
A planned project on your to-do list?
I’ve been working for years on a series of nocturnes that explore the symbolic and emotional weight of experiencing natural landscapes at night. I photograph remote locations, far from urban light pollution, using only moonlight. My original goal was to capture sites on all seven continents to celebrate the planet’s beauty and publish the work in a book. I haven’t made it to Australia or Antarctica yet, but we’ll see what the future brings.
Would you agree that a dance floor is never simply a dance floor?
Absolutely. We often forget the deep roots of dance—how it has always played a key role in ceremonies, rituals, celebrations, and entertainment across cultures, for both ancient and modern societies.
Preferred soundtrack while working?
It depends.It depends on the work. Sometimes I need something energizing, like afrobeat or punk rock. Other times, something more meditative, like classical or jazz. And occasionally, silence is best.
My favorite place in New York? I’ve lived in Brooklyn, right by the East River, for over 20 years. I walk, jog, and cycle along the riverfront regularly, and I’ve even kayaked on the river. When I’m out of town, I really miss the sight of its glowing span against the Manhattan skyline.
Will I ever leave New York? It’s hard to say. The city has a way of holding onto you with its mix of challenges and opportunities. But I left my native Italy when I was young, and sometimes the idea of returning to Europe feels like a real possibility.
—Domenica Bucalo and Oskar Landi in conversation, August 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful FAQs about 41 NY Profile Oskar Landi designed to be clear and easy to understand
General Beginner Questions
Q What is the 41 NY Profile
A Its a specific personality and aptitude assessment tool often used in corporate and personal development settings to understand an individuals behavioral style and potential
Q Who is Oskar Landi
A Oskar Landi is the creator and developer of the 41 NY Profile system He is an expert in psychometrics and behavioral analysis
Q What does the 41 NY in the name stand for
A The 41 refers to the 41 key behavioral traits or dimensions that the profile measures The NY is believed to be a reference to its origins or development
Q What is the main purpose of taking this assessment
A The main purpose is to gain deep selfawareness improve communication with others identify strengths and weaknesses and enhance team dynamics in a professional environment
Q How long does it take to complete the assessment
A The assessment typically takes between 20 to 30 minutes to complete It involves responding to a series of statements or questions
Benefits Applications
Q What are the benefits of knowing my 41 NY Profile
A Benefits include better understanding your natural work style learning how to adapt to different situations reducing workplace conflict and maximizing your personal effectiveness
Q How is this profile used in a company
A Companies use it for team building leadership development conflict resolution coaching and placing the right people in the right roles based on their innate strengths
Q Can it help with my career choices
A Yes absolutely By revealing your core behavioral drivers and preferences it can provide valuable insight into which careers or roles you might find most fulfilling and where you would naturally excel
The Process Results
Q How does the assessment work
A You answer a questionnaire usually online The system then analyzes your responses against the 41 traits to generate a detailed personalized report about your behavioral patterns
Q What will my results look like