Devour the Land: War and American Landscape Photography since 1970

Through the lens of art, environmental studies, and politics, Devour the Land explores the impacts of militarism on the American landscape since the 1970s, featuring the work of contemporary photographers and interviews with artists. The catalogue presents a diverse range of voices and artistic approaches, highlighting the ways in which violence and warfare surround us, even in the domestic environment.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 262 pages
Publication date: 10 December 2021
Publisher: Yale University Press

Tracing the profound impacts of militarism on the American landscape, Devour the Land explores the artistic responses of contemporary photographers to the US military's profound influence on the domestic environment since the 1970s. This captivating catalogue presents a diverse range of voices, intersecting art, environmentalism, militarism, photography, and politics. Alongside in-depth interviews with renowned contemporary artists who have dedicated their work to landscape photography, the images shed light on the diverse motivations, personal experiences, and artistic approaches of these photographers. What emerges is a startling portrayal of the pervasive presence of violence and warfare in our daily lives, even though the majority of modern combat has occurred overseas.

While it is true that most contemporary conflicts have taken place abroad, the American domestic landscape bears the unmistakable imprint of armed conflict. The extensive environmental damage we face today is a testament to the profound impact of our own military and the vast network of industries that support its operations. Devour the Land is designed to evoke the spirit of field books and ephemera produced by earlier artists and activists, showcasing the works of dozens of photographers, including Ansel Adams, Robert Adams, Dorothy Marder, Alex Webb, Terry Evans, and many more.

This exhibition is scheduled to be held at the Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge, MA, from September 17, 2021, to January 16, 2022. It promises to be a thought-provoking and immersive experience, offering a unique perspective on the complex relationship between militarism, the environment, and artistic expression.

Weight: 1106g
Dimension: 231 x 263 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300260083