Siobhan Angus, an assistant professor at Carleton University and author of *Camera Geologica*, shares her insights on the intersection of photography and the environment. The conversation dives into how mineral resources influence photographic practices and Canadian identity. Angus reveals unexpected connections, like cow-derived gelatin's role in photos. They also discuss photography's capacity to document nature and critique environmental issues while balancing preservation and accessibility of historical images. It's a thought-provoking exploration of art and its ethical implications.
The rise of digital humans like chatbots and deepfakes challenges traditional notions of identity, prompting a reevaluation of our relationship with technology.
The podcast highlights how contemporary artists are reinterpreting the narratives of extraction through photography, fostering awareness of environmental and social impacts.
Deep dives
The Impact of Digital Humans
The discussion emphasizes the rise of digital humans, including chatbots, holograms, deepfakes, and AI-generated media, which reflects a significant shift in how we interact with technology and representation. This trend raises critical questions regarding the authenticity and implications of these digital entities. As technology evolves, it also challenges traditional notions of identity and presence, prompting a deeper exploration into what it means to be human in a data-driven world. These conversations invite both scholars and the general public to reconsider their relationship with digital creations and the realities they embody.
Exploring the Relationship Between Photography and Mining
The podcast delves into the intersection of photography and mining, highlighting how the medium has historically relied on mined materials like silver and bitumen. By shifting focus from light, which is commonly associated with photography, to the mineral origins of these materials, the discussion reveals the environmental and social impacts of extraction. This perspective also examines how mining has shaped the development of photographic technologies and practices, underscoring the often-overlooked elements that contribute to image-making. The speaker's personal history tied to mining serves to illustrate the broader implications of extraction on communities and the environment.
Artistic Narratives and Extraction
The conversation addresses how contemporary artists are rethinking the narratives surrounding extraction through photography. By engaging with materials like uranium and bitumen, artists bring to light the complexities and histories associated with these substances, pushing viewers to confront the darker aspects of their use. Through artistic practice, the potential for redefining relationships with extracted materials is explored, suggesting new ways of seeing and understanding. This approach not only connects viewers with the material world but also fosters discussions about responsibility and awareness in art and its socio-environmental context.
Ecology, Preservation, and Photography
The podcast explores the intricate relationship between photography, ecology, and the act of preservation, questioning the implications of capturing and conserving images of nature. Although photography serves to document and highlight environmental issues, it also risks aestheticizing and trivializing them, complicating the narrative of preservation. By considering the environmental context in which photographs are created, such as light sensitivity and pollution, the discussion reveals how these elements influence both the medium and its perception. The tension between the desire to preserve and the harmful consequences of that preservation poses significant ethical considerations for artists and audiences alike.
It was such an honour to be in conversation with Siobhan Angus about what can only be describe as a masterpiece: her book Camera Geologica. Recorded August 8, 2024. Released Sept 9, 2024.
Camera Geologica: An Elemental History of Photography