Mulvane to showcase Canadian photographer

Kenzie McCoy

The Mulvane Art Museum is hosting the works of Canadian photographer, Edward Burtynsky, from Aug. 14 through Oct. 15. A reception for the exhibit, titled “The Industrial Sublime,” will be Aug. 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Mulvane. This exhibition will be the last stop on Burtynsky’s three to four year traveling show.

Burtynsky’s incredibly detailed, colored photographs showcase the impact of our current industrialized world with photos of debris-filled landscapes and densely populated urban areas that provide a post-apocalyptic sentiment.

“I believe that Burtynsky is looking at these kinds of industrial, fascinating and interesting landscapes that are created through industrialization, recycling, population growth and consumerism. What he does is aestheticizes these landscapes so that they are incredibly beautiful and incredibly terrifying at the same time and they take on this other-worldly quality,” said Connie Gibbons, director of the Mulvane Art Museum.

Gibbons became aware of Burtynsky’s works while she was in Wyoming around three or four years ago and had come across “The Industrial Sublime” exhibit.

“I was really interested in the work that he was doing and the kinds of issues that he was exploring and when we had an opening here and the opportunity to schedule this show, I contacted his gallery. Although his traveling show had ended, they agreed to extend it so that we could bring it here,” said Gibbons.

Burtynsky’s documentary, “Manufactured Landscapes” will be shown from 4-5:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Mulvane. The documentary showcases Burtynsky’s trip to China as he photographs the industrial impact and the urban areas of Shanghai. Photographs from this trip can be seen at the exhibition.

Mulvane is also hosting a panel discussion on industrial impact with Bill Bider, Rex Buchanan and Dr. Hui Xiao from 6-7 p.m. Sept. 22. This discussion will further analyze Burtynsky’s exhibit and his message concerning the effects of urbanization and industrialization.