Curse of the Black Gold: 50 Years of Oil in the Niger Delta
Curse of the Black Gold takes a graphic look at the profound cost of oil exploitation in West Africa. Featuring images by world-renowned photojournalist Ed Kashi and text by University of California at Berkeley professor Michael Watts, this book traces the 50-year history of Nigeria's oil industry involvement.
As the nations of the world meet at the Copenhagen Climate Summit, we should all realize the importance of stemming human activity's contribution to not only climate change, but almost more profoundly the pollution and despoiling of our mother earth. Whatever is causing climate change is irrelevant on some level, in my mind, it's the fact that human activitiy is a sore on this earth. Anyone who lives or has spent time in an overcrowded city in Asia, Africa, Latin America or even on bad days in the US, cannot avoid noticing how we have ruined our air, water and increasingly our general habitation. Climate change should not be politicized or made a business issue. It's about how we live on this planet and how we treat ourselves, our environment and what kind of world we want to live in and leave for our future generations.
Please take the time to use these links, as each is more educational than the next.
The Council (otherwise known as COP15), which meets this December, is clearly the behemoth: a U.N. affiliated meeting of 192 nations attempting to come to some sort of an accord on how to safe our global climate.
CONSEQUENCES by NOOR is a terrific exhibit that will use photographic evidence to show the effects of climate change from every corner of the world. This is certainly another contender since an educated public is necessary if you want real change.
And then we have Nina Berman, a wonderful photographer, talented artist and friend, bringing the devastation of the Pine Forests of British Columbia to the public with sensitivity and thoughtful imagery.
Certainly the whole endeavor is what’s important. I’ve spent years working on this topic, most notably with CURSE, and the growing attention to global warming over the years has been nothing less than exhilirating. Artists like Nina, projects like 350, exhibits like CONSEQUENCES and the significance of this meeting really can give you a sense of optimism in a world that’s far too easy to become jaded in.
Visit CONSEQUENCES' website, enjoy the artists, and keep an eye on the COP15, which is sure to be a great landmark in global cooperation.
Check out this article about the need for increased transparency in African governments to combat environmental problems and economic issues related to extractive industries on the continent.
The success of the 350 project this Saturday has been great news. A lot of Ed’s work, certainly Curse of the Black Gold, has shown an active concern for the well-being of the global environment. We’re pleased to see that this incredible demonstration went so well.
“On 24 October, people in 181 countries came together for the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet's history. At over 5,200 events around the world, people gathered to call for strong action and bold leadership on the climate crisis.”
There is great news out of Paris today. The Prix Pictet Award was announced and the photographer Nadav Kandar won the grand prize! Ed Kashi was the runner up with a commission to work with and document the efforts of Azafady, a UK charity and registered NGO, in Madagascar. We are still thrilled to have been shortlisted by the Prix Pictet, but we are extremely excited to be given the opportunity to work with Azafady.
The Prix Pictet is an extraordinarily prestigious prize that knows powerful art has a powerful impact. Their agenda is so focused, the panel of judges so impressive, that to be nominated is an honor. It is truly a league of its own. Saying we’re honored is not half hearted or out of ceremony: we are flattered. What is possibly more of an honor is for them to commission Ed, to acknowledge his work as forceful and partner with him to raise awareness about the environmental degradation in Madagascar and highlight solutions that are being initiated by Azafady.
Please follow this link to read more about what's ahead for Ed.
Thank You Pictet!
Thank you, London Times, as well, for the great coverage we received last Sunday before today's event. Below is the spread they published. It came out wonderfully.
On Monday, October 5th, the opening reception for the Through Your Lens: School Facilities Across America exhibit will be held in room SR-385 of the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill. Featuring "powerful photos and vivid stories highlighting what’s great and what’s troubling about our nation’s public school buildings", the photographs will be displayed in the Russell Rotunda through Friday, October 9th.
Ed is honored to participate as a judge for this eye-opening exhibit. For more information, or to RSVP, please visit Through Your Lens.
As the nations of the world meet at the Copenhagen Climate Summit, we should all realize the importance of stemming human activity's contribution to not only climate change, but almost more profoundly the pollution and despoiling of our mother earth. Whatever is causing climate change is irrelevant on some level, in my mind, it's the fact that human activitiy is a sore on this earth. Anyone who lives or has spent time in an overcrowded city in Asia, Africa, Latin America or even on bad days in the US, cannot avoid noticing how we have ruined our air, water and increasingly our general habitation. Climate change should not be politicized or made a business issue. It's about how we live on this planet and how we treat ourselves, our environment and what kind of world we want to live in and leave for our future generations.
