I’m a huge fan of the work of a friend of mine, photographer Chris Jordan. His work is both subtle and bold, timely and timeless. Among other things, it beautifully (albeit tragically) explores human consumerism/consumption and the resulting detriments to the planet. From his work, we get a sense of freedom to grieve this predicament, but also a motivation toward change and inspired cause-based activism. The above video is a short chronicle of Chris’ midway project–a heavy, but brilliant undertaking.
This interview is the work of a longtime filmmaker buddy, Riley Morton, and is the first step in a collaboration between myself and Riley where we get together and–via my curation of subjects and his interviews–tell short stories about interesting people in our professional circles. It’s my hope that you’ll like learning about Chris and his work. If this idea catches on, I’d like to do more of these with other folks too.
More of Chris’ work here.
Great post. Check out this documentary that follows some environmentalist out to the Northern Gyre in the pacific ocean where all this plastic is accumulating. Pretty eye-opening stuff…
http://www.vbs.tv/watch/toxic/toxic-garbage-island-full-length
This would be so great if the sound mix allowed me to hear what he’s saying. His voice is distant and low and since the track has a lot of low tones, his VO is almost buried.
Man, what are we doing with our nature?! It needs people like Chris Jordan to show the world the truth.
This is great chase. I saw Chris’s work a few months ago, while i loved the work i felt disconnected from the message. This interview changed that, being able to see Chris talk about his work and about the environmental situation surrounding the midway project gives me a much different emotional understanding of his images.
So a tip of the hat to you sir, for sharing this.
A tip of the hat to Rilely Morton for filming this interview,
And two tips of the hat to Chris for doing this project and bringing us closer to the consequences of consumerism.
that’s a really meaningful thing to hear – helps us know that our attempts to amplify chris and his work is worth the effort. much appreciated.
What an incredibly powerful message….. Bold and striking yet saddening…. Saddening because it tells of the darker side of what we, as a race have become where our need for advancements out weighs the survival of the very place that makes it possible for us to exist… Thanks for sharing you vision Chris and to you as well, Chase for making us aware of Chris and his Midway Project….