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.
Ongoing tragedy that everyone of us has a bit of ownness in…Shape up and watch where and what and how you consume..I would rather kill a few trees for some renewable paper cups than suck on bottles of water made of plastic!
Chase,
Thanks for the video. I look forward to more.
I can see how a photographer of environmental issues would find it worrisome that their pictures would be too controversial for print and have too much of a negative effect on the viewer. An effect that can result in less constructive conversations and more backlash or just too much shock.
I respect him for having the courage to print these pictures.
I don’t know too many photographers who concentrate on the environment and that may be just because I chose not too.
But, I do love Edward Burtynsky pictures. The ones of the tailing ponds hit home since I’ve worked on some and seen them up close.
I think it’s all been said quite well in the above comments. I had to force myself to watch this because I knew it would be upsetting, but that’s just it…IT SHOULD BE!!! I wish I could sit everyone down and have them take a look at this type of documentation. It is so important to become aware and become responsible for our actions. I am so grateful for The Chris Jordans and so many others that go out and take these project on. I would like to believe that this will make a difference on how we live. Thanks for this. I will be sharing it on FB also.
Thank you for the effort. Very well done. Tragic but well done and necessary. I feel hopeless, helpless and disgusted by the attitudes and actions of my fellow man. What does the future hold?
Keep up the good work.
Kent
I was only able to watch about a minute of the video. It’s so tragic. It brought me to tears and I clicked it off.