Overview, Copper Mine at Clifton, Arizona Possibly 1985 - 1990

Editor: This photograph, "Overview, Copper Mine at Clifton, Arizona" by David Maisel, presents an aerial view in stark monochrome. It’s quite unsettling, this immense gash in the landscape. What statements might Maisel be making about humanity's impact on nature? Curator: Maisel's work often addresses the complex relationship between humans and the environment, particularly focusing on landscapes altered by industrial processes. This image invites us to consider the ethical implications of resource extraction and the visual language used to represent such interventions. How does its visual presentation influence our understanding? Editor: The high angle gives a sense of detachment, almost like a map or document, yet the scale of destruction is undeniable. It's a strange mix of objective observation and implied critique. Curator: Exactly. It implicates the viewer, as the high vantage point mimics the perspective of power – who benefits from this, and at what cost to the environment and local communities? A powerful question to consider, isn't it? Editor: Absolutely, it certainly gives a lot to think about.