Landfill: Elegy for the Santa Maria Valley

Landfill is a collection of photographs by Brett Kallusky that depict the hidden systems of agricultural production and waste in California's Santa Maria Valley. The photographs reveal scenes that are often unseen, underscoring their nature as evidentiary documentation. Kallusky's work invites viewers to contemplate their complicit involvement in the Anthropocene and the impact of human consumption on the land.

Format: Hardback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 25 July 2022
Publisher: George F. Thompson

Landfill is a captivating photographic collection by Brett Kallusky, showcasing his stunning images captured in California's historic Santa Maria Valley, renowned for its exceptional wine production. While this body of work primarily focuses on a small section of the landscape, it draws our attention to the intricate interplay between vast agricultural production and the waste it generates. The photographs unveil scenes that are often hidden from public view, emphasizing their role as evidentiary documentation of a microcosm with far-reaching consequences.

Kallusky's artistic interest extends beyond mere documentation, as his portrayal of this famous Central California landscape offers a contemplative space for viewers to reflect on their own complicity in the system. Through his depiction of the region's produce, such as strawberries, carrots, and cauliflower, which are grown and transported to grocery stores across the United States, Kallusky prompts us to consider our involvement, even through the simple act of consuming these foods.

Despite the cool formalism and detached documentary style of the photographs, when assembled in this book, they engage in an extended consideration that draws viewers into a new relationship with this place. The images evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity, encouraging us to look beyond the surface and explore the deeper connections between human activity and the natural world.

Addressing the current human-centered epoch known as the Anthropocene, Kallusky's Landfill examines important questions about how land is used and regarded. Through his powerful imagery, he brings invisible spaces into visibility, revealing the immense scale of Earth's support for our food needs and the massive engine of consumption that drives our society. What remains in the wake of this system to which we all belong?

Landfill serves as a powerful reminder of our responsibility to steward the land and to consider the impact of our actions on the environment and society. It encourages us to question the systems that govern our food production and consumption, and to seek ways to create a more sustainable and equitable future.

In conclusion, Landfill is a remarkable photographic collection that offers a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between agriculture, waste, and human existence. Through Brett Kallusky's lens, we are invited to see the world in a new light, to reflect on our role in the system, and to work towards a more sustainable and equitable future.

Dimension: 229 x 203 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781938086878