De Money

George Osodi, Nigerian, born 1974

De Money, 2009

This is one image from a series of photographs by Osodi called “De Money,” an exhibition detailing the back-breaking labor of workers in their steady search for “gold” or “de money.” I thought this particular photo was a startling example of the paradoxical nature of the mining industry in Africa; as Rotinwa aptly puts it, there’s “deprivation amidst plenty.” Locals in the Niger Delta are sitting on a wealth of resources, but are forced to work at the vicious bidding of mining corporations who strip the landscape of their natural beauty and trap residents in a vicious cycle of poverty and pollution. In his shockingly frank photojournalism, Osodi leaves little to the viewer’s imagination, but is still able to convey the strength of human resilience and determination in the face of capitalism and corruption. In short, Osodi treats his subjects as survivors, not victims. Label by Tara Vasanth

Trojan Horse Demonstration at The British Museum, London

BP or not BP?, est. 2012

Trojan Horse Demonstration at The British Museum, London, 2020

BP or not BP? is a group of actor-activists who protest the British multinational oil and gas company BP. On the morning of February 7th, 2020, the activists snuck a 13-foot tall wooden horse, emblazoned with the logo of BP and accompanied by Greek warriors, into the courtyard entrance of the British Museum. The horse marked the beginning of a 3-day long campaign against BP’s sponsorship of the arts. With smoke flowing from the horse’s nostrils, glowing red eyes, and construction from reclaimed timber and discarded rope, the huge sculpture was a direct response to the museum’s BP-sponsored ‘Troy’ exhibition. BP or not BP? hopes that its demonstration puts an end to the oil company’s monetary involvement with the arts. As the group’s website states, “Every one of these victories chips away at the power of the fossil fuel industry, reducing its public and political influence and strengthening the hand of everyone around the world who’s pushing for cleaner alternatives and a safer climate” (BP or not BP?, 2020). Label by Isabel Williams

Sacrifice Zones

Nathaniel St. Clair

Sacrifice Zones, 2021

The artwork above was photographed by Nathaniel St. Clair with the goal of bringing attention to systemic racism in the United States. The artwork highlights how the Black Lives Matter Movement, effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and sacrifice zones have had an effect on low-income communities of color. This artwork related to this week’s topic about the prevalence of sacrifice zones near communities of color. The artwork is filled with symbolism, but what stands out most to me is the face in the center. The eye shows sadness and the other half of their face has dissipated into smoke from factories, calling attention to the community likely being a sacrifice zone. I also think it is interesting how the American flag is located at the bottom and it is missing its stars. I interpreted this to mean that the artist believes America is failing to protect its states, so it has lost its stars. Label by Jonathan Yoder

Exposure: Portrait Of A Corporate Crime

Raghu Rai, Indian, born 1942

Exposure: Portrait Of A Corporate Crime, 2002 

In this photograph by Raghu Rai, protesters are gathered outside the walls of the abandoned United Carbide factory. These protests are demanding that medical research be established to study toxic contamination and human health in the area. With more medical research, people who have been negatively affected by the toxic gas released during the Bhopal disaster can hopefully be treated. They are gathered near The Statue of Mother & Child created through a collaboration between Ruth Waterman and Bhopal survivors. The sign with the web on it discusses a recent study performed by the Indian Council of Medical Research. The council studied the results of children born to women and daughters that were exposed to methyl isocyanate, but later refused to release the results of this study. Through this picture Rai captured the battle people are still fighting to achieve environmental justice for those affected in Bhopal. Label by Olivia Falb