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Edward Burtynsky: Exploring the Residual Landscape

Photographs from the KWAG Collection
January 31 – February 24, 2007

Opening Reception with
Ed Burtynsky

Wednesday, January 31, 7:30 p.m.
The Elora Centre for the Arts is proud to present selected works from Canadian Photographer Edward Burtynsky.
This installment comes on the heels of the award-winning film Manufactured Landscapes.
Burtynsky’s work provides insightful and thought-provoking images as he records some of the astonishing transformations taking place in the global landscape, and the resulting social changes.

Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.,
Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Exploring the Residual Landscape

Nature transformed through industry is a predominant theme in my work. I set course to intersect with a contemporary view of the great ages of man; from stone, to minerals, oil, transportation, silicon, and so on. To make these ideas visible I search for subjects that are rich in detail and scale yet open in their meaning. Recycling yards, mine tailings, quarries and refineries are all places that are outside of our normal experience, yet we partake of their output on a daily basis.

These images are meant as metaphors to the dilemma of our modern existence; they search for a dialogue between attraction and repulsion, seduction and fear. We are drawn by desire – a chance at good living, yet we are consciously or unconsciously aware that the world is suffering for our success. Our dependence on nature to provide the materials for our consumption and our concern for the health of our planet sets us into an uneasy contradiction. For me, these images function as reflecting pools of our times.
Edward Burtynsky

Our heartfelt thanks to the following:

Mary Helps – Amazing Grazing
519-787-2638
Grand River Caterers
The Dragonfly Café
15 Mill Street East
519-846-0866
Dalby House Est. 1865
143 Metcalfe Street
519-846-9811
Bailey’s Restaurant
146 Metcalfe Sreet
59-846-8880