Perspective is Everything

This is a detail of a very large image (60 X 100″) by Seattle Artist/Photographer/Activist Chris Jordan. The full size is the visual representation of how many containers are processed in American ports in twelve hours (38,000). This is part of his series “Running the Numbers – An American Self-Portrait“. It is a collection of visuals that are created in Photoshop that shows contemporary American consumption. It is very impressive.

This project visually examines these vast and bizarre measures of our society, in large intricately detailed prints assembled from thousands of smaller photographs. The underlying desire is to emphasize the role of the individual in a society that is increasingly enormous, incomprehensible, and overwhelming.

My only caveat about this series is that the prints must be seen in person to be experienced the way they are intended. As with any large artwork, their scale carries a vital part of their substance which is lost in these little web images.

He is probably right. I would love to see this exhibition some time.

Here is Chris is on the Colbert Report and on Bill Moyers. He is also going to be speaking at the TED conference this year (which I will miss yet again this year because some lacky keeps leaving me off the guest list!)