Demolition in Progress
This series of photographs is inspired after the current environmental crisis of pollution, global warming, and human-environmental impact. This series was largely influenced by my reading of the encyclical letter Laudato si and in particular the section quoted below.
This sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her. We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will. The violence present in our hearts, wounded by sin, is also reflected in the symptoms of sickness evident in the soil, in the water, in the air and in all forms of life. This is why the earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor; she “groans in travail” (Rom 8:22). We have forgotten that we ourselves are dust of the earth (cf. Gen 2:7); our very bodies are made up of her elements, we breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters." - Laudato si, Paragraph 2
Today the issue of human environmental impact can no longer be ignored. These images - none staged - show environmental impact throughout the city of Manitowoc, WI. The sign "Danger Demolition in Progress" was found alongside as I was photographing this series. I thought it to be ironic concerning the subject matter so I included it into some of the photos. These images of trash tossed into Lake Michigan, garbage buildup in parking lots, food discarded alongside the road all point to the harmful effects of pollution. In a world where there is so much mass production I hope these images encourage contemplation of the impact each person has on the environment and also the future of the planet. The image of the child's bear in the trash in particular directs my mind toward the world future generations will be faced with if we do not take action and decide to live in an ethical way.