Not always a pretty picture
by Mark ~ August 24th, 2008. Filed under: Visit-worthy links, art, artistry, environment.I came across a wonderful collection of images that are finalists for Prix Pictet, a photographic award for artists drawing attention to world environmental issues. It serves as a great reminder that although many photographs remind us of the great treasures and details around us, there are others that deserve just as much, if not more of our attention. These are extremely concerning issues, certainly made more powerful and personal by the photographs associated with them.
Both styles of imagery have their place and purpose. From viewing the work of these photographers, it certainly shows that such efforts do not have to be purely documentary, but have artistic merit as well. I was particularly engaged by the work of Sebastian Copeland with his work in Antarctica, David Maisel’s abstracts of an environmentally impacted area in the Sierras, and Edward Burtynsky’s work of nickel tailings in Ontario.
Certainly there are issues around me that perhaps need more attention drawn to them. I know I will be giving some careful thought about this type of work, and my eyes open to a different perspective when looking through the viewfinder.
August 25th, 2008 at
How ironic…Edward Burtynsky was born about a half hour from where I lived in Canada. Had to check him out, as a nickel plant contaminated most of a local neighborhood in my hometown there. Small world!
Although I agree with your premise here, I can’t force myself to even venture into such areas, nevermind take pictures. It all hurts me too much, in a sense (which I why I’ve moved out into the middle of a pine forest.) Besides, I’ve already seen environmental photos that shock & horrify me (even 15 years ago,) & change still won’t come fast enough to make a difference, unfortunately.
August 27th, 2008 at
Even though they are upsetting, we humans have to be constantly reminded in order to make a change and keep our head out of the sand.
August 28th, 2008 at
Mark - I am looking forward to this kind of new work as I know you are serious with this. I think pictures say more than just words and the world needs to see pictures. Do you know the work of Robert Longo about the atom bomb? This shows that even in something deadly polluting there can be a strange beauty. Everything is bi-fold and the whole universe is balanced through the positive and the negative. Instead of lamenting what awful things happen that we as single persons cannot change, we should rather be worried about our own little world that we CAN change, each and everyone within a family. I think this is the most important thing at all, because only little steps from within can change the whole outside.
Here is a link to one of Longo’s awsome black and white paintings:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/21/33964361_144627fb16.jpg?v=0
Greetings, Petra
August 28th, 2008 at
Mark - in case you don’t know this - here are some more links to Longo’s work:
http://images.forbes.com/media/2008/02/19/0219pow_389×500.jpg
Btw - the painting in my first poat is called “Lust of the eye” - that does say all - doesn’t it?
Greetings, again
August 30th, 2008 at
Petra, I had never seen Robert’s work before, thank you. Amazing how imagery of a mushroom cloud sends chills up your spine. Quite honestly, I am not sure how I would approach such imagery around me. I know it is there (somewhere) - I know these terrible things exist. I perhaps tend to want to go positive, probably like most others.
September 11th, 2008 at
One of the great things about the internet is the social referrals that keep you discovering links to great sites / causes, in posts such as this.
I think photography has a special way of capturing and hopefully bringing to the forefront of our minds these great causes.
October 9th, 2008 at
Upsetting yes, but necessary to show them because of the simple fact that the technology now exists to document all of this for posterity. Good work all around. Keep it coming….
November 16th, 2008 at
I once photographed a bottle nosed Dolphin that had been killed by a boats propeller. It was a powerful image and a reminder of how we have failed to live along side nature in harmony.
Photography is one of the most useful ways to highlight the plight of wildlife and habitats.
November 17th, 2008 at
Well the good thing is that it bolsters people’s awareness that we need to take action in preserving the environment , the fact that we are discussing about the discord between nature and technology is definitely a step to the right direction.
This is one of the initial steps towards the ( hopefully ) movement towards global conservation. Emotions are powerful they can motivate us to do something about it.