The National Academy of Sciences is hosting a new photographic exhibition titled "The Altered Landscape: The Carol Franc Buck Collection."
This new display of photographic work is not just a series of random pictures - it's photography with a message. In 1975, a group of environmentally conscious photographers, many of whom are featured in the exhibition, started to focus on "man-altered" landscapes in an attempt to highlight the effect of human presence on the environment. The informational sign reads: "The Altered Landscape collection was intended to have a critical and theoretical edge, exploring the diverse strategies taken by landscape photographers in articulating their views on the environment." Most of the photographs focus on the Western United States, namely the effects on California, Utah and Nevada, as well as Colorado's mountains and open land.
So what did they have to say about what man has done to his environment? Well, they certainly aren't pleased. Many of the photographers chose to contrast the natural beauty of the environment with either industrial icons (such as traffic cones, power lines, highways or factories) or with examples of human presence (namely trailer parks, shacks and litter). It was quite clear after the first round through the exhibit that these photographers feel that nature is awesome the way that it is and that man's input is not only completely unnecessary, but also a detriment to its beauty.
These photographs don't only have a message; some of these pictures are really cool. The most interesting works had other pictures superimposed onto them or were somehow digitally altered to get their message across.
For example, "The Blue Lagoon, Ireland" by Virginia Beahan and Laura McPhee was the most powerful and moving picture there. It was a color photo of a bustling factory spewing out smoke and set in a breathtaking mountain landscape. There is a lake at the edge of the factory in which children are shown playing and floating around. If that doesn't show the contrast between nature's innocence and man's selfish modernization, then nothing does.
Another interesting and thought- provoking photograph is called "Bida Hi'/Opposite views, NE Navaho tract homes and Uranium tailing, SW Shiprock, New Mexico" by Patrick Nagatani. This one laid out a desert landscape with slummy tract homes scattered everywhere. In the foreground two hands hold up a panoramic photo of what the desert used to - and should still - look like.
Robert Dawson also does a great job with his photos. One depicting a huge spill-away hole in the middle of a peaceful lake accompanies another showing a dock with a huge private property gate blocking it off from the rest of the lake, Ducks float around unfazed by what man calls "his" property.
Some other artists that also deserve mention for their work are Ed Burtynsky, Jim Sanborn, Joe Deal, Len Jenshel, Richard Misrach and Lewis Baltz.
Unfortunately, the gallery itself is not that impressive. The fact that this exhibition is in a hallway (yes, a regular building hallway) does not do justice to the artists' work. It's a bit cramped, especially with the normal hustle and bustle of the building flowing through the hallway, and doesn't particularly foster artistic appreciation. The hallway does eventually open up to a quieter, better lit and more elegant room with some of the cooler photographs, but it seems like too little too late.
The location of the National Academy of Science is a bit of a hike from the supposedly closed Foggy Bottom Metro stop. Yes, there is another National Academy of Science building right off of Judicial Square, but no, that's not the right one. There is a shuttle between the two buildings, but it doesn't run often enough to be very useful.
Despite the crummy location, the message of the exhibition was definitely captured by the photographs displayed. The exhibition has a good mix of color and black and white photographs that cover everything - nature's beauty, pollution, man's nonsense, and really powerful environmental messages that address specific concerns. Those who like nature and those who sometimes think that man oversteps his boundaries will really like this exhibit, but it's not just for tree huggers.
This exhibit has a great message that should get out there, and these photographs are really awesome. Anyone that has a chance to go, should. Even though the gallery isn't great, the photos more than make up for it.
