This morning I read an article by a very good photographer, Edward Burtynsky, who is in Northern Ontario making a body of work celebrating Earth Day, which is today in Canada. I first discovered his work last year at the AGO, entitled Anthropocene which is the geologic epoch of mankind profoundly changing the environment. This presentation so touched me that I went back for a second viewing.
The pandemic has taken over most of the news lately, and no-one’s talking about global climate change any more, but that’s still a big, black cloud looming in the background.
“Where humans once had our collective boot on nature’s neck, we now find ourselves with her boot firmly pressed against ours.” – Edward Burtynsky
I was so inspired by this article that I grabbed my camera and went over to Cawthra Woods, which is a wooded conservation area right across the street from our place. Burtynsky is an industrial residual landscape photographer and so I was trying to emulate his intent in this forest.
Walking along the forest paths, several times I encountered people walking their dogs. The dogs were very eager to come over and make friends with me, but of course, with the 2m rule, even they can’t come over for a pat. The masters quickly pulled on the leashes very firmly to hold them back. I started wondering what the pets are going through during this period. Probably thinking,
“Something’s happening here!”
At which point I started humming the Buffalo Springfield song. But things feel a lot scarier now then in 1967.
[Click on any photo for the slideshow. Please leave comments at the bottom of the page]
April 22, 2020 at 11:13 pm
Yes, something is definitely happening here….
It is like that post circulating on Facebook whereby the dog is driving himself (in a car by himself) to the dog park because his owner is stuck at home on quarantine. 😉
Especially loved pics # 3,4 ,5….
Stay Safe….
April 22, 2020 at 11:40 pm
u 2 Kate
April 24, 2020 at 12:27 am
Interesting photos Len.
I remember seeing Burtynski’s exhibition of aerial photos he took of the Alberta tar sands. The destruction was incredible. I spent 7 weeks at Syncrude in the 80s and witnessed it first hand. We are paying the price of environmental destruction to support our thirst for new sources of oil.
April 24, 2020 at 2:24 am
Yes, eventually there’ll be a vaccine for covid-19, but never for global warming.
April 26, 2020 at 5:48 pm
Len, so many great pics! I liked the fire plug and the brick wall the most. Its nice you have trails and a forest so close. I saw Burtynsky’s exhibit at the AGO. Very sobering. So you can read dog’s minds know?! How come you cant read mine when we are having an APRES Ski pint, and my glass is getting low! LOL. Keep the blogs and photos comming. You and Chantal be safe and be well.
April 26, 2020 at 5:58 pm
Dave, I CAN read your mind at Jozo’s. I always read, “I must buy Len a beer!”. You stay well yourself, and stay out of trouble (if that’s possible)!
May 3, 2020 at 2:23 pm
Len
You should look at Burtyskys Manufacture Landscapes for a real frightening look at our destructive tendencies. And you should definitely watch his movie (Netflicks) about him photographing in China – it has the most amazing start.
Photos look great but spooky – I could hear banjos in the background! Further proof you should never leave the concrete and stray into the woods / look what happened to Little Red Ridinghood
May 3, 2020 at 3:33 pm
Hey Peter, the Burtynsky landscapes you’re referring to are the Anthropocene project that I saw at the AGO. And, I prefer to think of myself as the wolf, so… no problems in the woods!