Edward Burtynsky’s ‘Oil’ Photography Series Is Illuminating
Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky has created a series ‘Oil’ in which he travelled the world documenting the effect of oil on all our lives from its extraction to its use, his images revealing the rarely seen mechanics of its production. The series is divided into four parts; extraction, Detroit, transportaton and the end of oil.
Here’s what he says about his work:
Nature transformed through industry is a predominant theme in my work. I set course to intersect with a contemporary view of the great ages of man; from stone, to minerals, oil, transportation, silicon, and so on. To make these ideas visible I search for subjects that are rich in detail and scale yet open in their meaning. Recycling yards, mine tailings, quarries and refineries are all places that are outside of our normal experience, yet we partake of their output on a daily basis.
These images are meant as metaphors to the dilemma of our modern existence; they search for a dialogue between attraction and repulsion, seduction and fear. We are drawn by desire – a chance at good living, yet we are consciously or unconsciously aware that the world is suffering for our success. Our dependence on nature to provide the materials for our consumption and our concern for the health of our planet sets us into an uneasy contradiction. For me, these images function as reflecting pools of our times.
They’re pretty thought provoking images particularly the one of the LA highway. Looks ghastly.
Via This Is Tomorrow
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