An aerial view shows the brine pools and processing areas of the Soquimich (SQM) lithium mine on the Atacama salt flat, Atacama desert, Chile, January 10, 2013. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado
Since its inception, the photographic process has relied on various forms of material extraction starting with silver and copper, various plastics and more recently rare earths or light metals like lithium. With a recent shift in global supply chains and an ever growing demand for raw material, extraction and mining are returning to our doorstep after being conveniently outsourced overseas. The week-long photography workshop will look into the historic relationship between photography and the exploitation of the earth’s crust. An excursion to a possible future mining area will be followed by one day extensive darkroom session and final exhibition.