API 21902614 Levelland, TX 2012

Editor: So, this is Mishka Henner's "API 21902614 Levelland, TX" from 2012, a C-print photograph. It feels almost abstract at first glance, like a minimalist painting with those brown bands and geometric divisions. But then you see that oil derrick, so stark. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The work epitomizes a critical gaze at the intersection of industry and environment, wouldn’t you agree? This aerial view flattens the landscape, abstracting the patterns of agriculture, but also highlighting the industrial disruption within. The photograph really directs us to ponder the public role of art in unveiling these less visible truths. Editor: Disruption is definitely the right word. The oil derrick feels like an intrusion, especially with that raw, almost violent patch of cleared earth around it. I mean, are we meant to see the agricultural bands as somehow complicit in all of this? Curator: Precisely! And, thinking in terms of public perception, ask yourself: How has the romantic vision of landscape in art historically obscured such realities? Henner’s image challenges that tradition, making visible the hidden costs. Does that make sense? Editor: Absolutely. It's not just a pretty picture; it’s a statement. The title, just a number referencing the oil well permit, is also incredibly telling and brings it all home. It's a far cry from, say, a landscape painting by Constable, where any evidence of social injustice is usually absent. I never thought about art that way! Curator: Indeed. This photo is powerful because it implicates all of us in this story. I think looking at the socio-political dimensions enriches the art encounter, don’t you? Editor: Yes. I am now keen to start doing that. It brings new relevance and encourages me to keep thinking. Thank you!