Refinery Flocks

Nature has an incredible capacity to adapt. Recently, for example, major catastrophes like oil spills in the ocean have, in some cases, not resulted in all the expected negative impacts, thanks to the extraordinary resilience of ecological systems. Throughout our planet's evolution, even during the last century, which has been heavily influenced by so-called "industrial progress," there has always been an exceptional ability to adapt to changes. However, it is only in recent decades that human influence has become increasingly invasive. This short period is insufficient to fully understand the complex dynamics of evolution, which typically unfold over centuries. It is surprising, at times, to observe a certain "synergy" between the products of industrial progress and natural species. "Refinery Flocks", which begins with the utilitarian relationship between flocks of birds and the heat emitted by a refinery, seeks to explore these "symbiotic" aspects, these precarious balances between industry and wildlife, between human-made artifacts and Nature. The goal is not to merely depict the horrors of human creations but to highlight the potential and unexpected harmonies that might exist.

Year: 2006-2009 - Archival Pigment Prints  Optionally mounted on Dibond or Diasec | More Information | Artist Statement | Additional Images