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Manufactured Landscapes
Jul. 22nd, 2007 01:12 amManufactured Landscapes. see it. really.
based on Edward Burtynsky's prize-winning photography, which explores the way humanity is changing its natural environment. he claims not to make any judgement as to whether this is a good or bad thing, but the tone is decidedly sinister. long, study-inducing shots (most notably the 9 minute long intro shot of a Chinese factory - i can only imagine how gigantic that factory is), a focus on art vs. mechanization, and the overall theme of the interconnectedness of global materials makes for a fascinating look at the modern, urban landscape of humanity.
Burtynsky focuses nearly entirely on China, whom he portrays as not only the fastest growing urban population in the world but also the world's recyclers. people are saving every last bit of reusable material in labor-intensive, mind-numbing, and often highly dangerous jobs. and still, the staggering amount of human waste with which we're filling up the planet makes me wonder how we're even still here.
my only critique? i would have loved a translation, voice-over or subtitled, whatever, of the local workers. their voices were heard, yes, but i couldn't understand a word of it. what's the point?
Burtynsky also featured the Three Gorges Dam, the largest dam project in the world by over 50%. the idea that they had to raze 13 cities to the ground to build it is only slightly less disturbing than the fact that the Earth supposedly wobbled on its axis when the dam was first filled. the unspoken question is all too easily interpreted: when is progress a bad thing? where do we draw the line?
mostly, i'm just amazed the human race has survived this long.
based on Edward Burtynsky's prize-winning photography, which explores the way humanity is changing its natural environment. he claims not to make any judgement as to whether this is a good or bad thing, but the tone is decidedly sinister. long, study-inducing shots (most notably the 9 minute long intro shot of a Chinese factory - i can only imagine how gigantic that factory is), a focus on art vs. mechanization, and the overall theme of the interconnectedness of global materials makes for a fascinating look at the modern, urban landscape of humanity.
Burtynsky focuses nearly entirely on China, whom he portrays as not only the fastest growing urban population in the world but also the world's recyclers. people are saving every last bit of reusable material in labor-intensive, mind-numbing, and often highly dangerous jobs. and still, the staggering amount of human waste with which we're filling up the planet makes me wonder how we're even still here.
my only critique? i would have loved a translation, voice-over or subtitled, whatever, of the local workers. their voices were heard, yes, but i couldn't understand a word of it. what's the point?
Burtynsky also featured the Three Gorges Dam, the largest dam project in the world by over 50%. the idea that they had to raze 13 cities to the ground to build it is only slightly less disturbing than the fact that the Earth supposedly wobbled on its axis when the dam was first filled. the unspoken question is all too easily interpreted: when is progress a bad thing? where do we draw the line?
mostly, i'm just amazed the human race has survived this long.
