High Visibility (Blaze Orange)

Jaclyn Wrights' work in Utah's West Desert explores the conflict between the natural world and its bureaucratic codification, highlighting the visible and invisible, and the ironies of freedom and nativism on stolen land. The area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is used for mining, cattle ranching, and biological and chemical weapons testing. The lake is drying up due to overuse and human-caused ecological change, threatening migratory birds and the population of Salt Lake City. The color blaze orange is used throughout the book to reference the most conspicuous type of debris found in the West Desert ranges.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 02 October 2023
Publisher: GOST Books

Jaclyn Wright's artistic endeavors center on Utah's West Desert, where she explores the intricate interplay between the natural world and its bureaucratic codification. Through her work, Wright highlights the dichotomy between the visible and invisible, as well as the ironic contradictions surrounding fantasies of freedom and nativism on stolen land.

Situated on the western side of the Great Salt Lake, a significant portion of the West Desert, ancestral lands of the Goshute people, is under the management of the Bureau of Land Management. While the area is designated as "public lands," a substantial portion is privately leased for mining, cattle ranching, and biological and chemical weapons testing. Alarmingly, nearly one-third of this land is used for such purposes. The lake, already facing the challenges of overuse and human-induced ecological changes, is rapidly drying up, posing a significant threat to millions of migratory birds and the population of Salt Lake City. The remaining areas are open to various uses, including improvised gun ranges.

Throughout the book, Wright employs the motif of the color blaze orange, a nod to the most conspicuous type of debris found in the West Desert ranges: blaze orange clay pigeons. These aerial targets are painted in this color to ensure their visibility against the sky on clear days and against the natural landscape. It is important to note that blaze orange is not meant to be confused with nature but rather serves as a deliberate contrast to it.

Wright's artistic approach sheds light on the complex dynamics between humans and the natural world, challenging the notion of pristine wilderness and highlighting the human impact on the environment. Her work serves as a powerful reminder of the need for responsible land management, conservation, and the preservation of cultural heritage sites.

Dimension: 218 x 165 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781915423023