The One Hundred Circle Farm

Emmet Gowin's The One Hundred Circle Farm is a powerful photographic survey of the impact of irrigation systems on the landscape of the United States. The images showcase the enormous circles of irrigated land created by center-pivot irrigation systems, often in dry terrain. They highlight the ambitions humans wield in shaping the landscape and raise questions about water depletion and the fragile environment. The book features over one hundred stark photographic compositions created over eight years and an afterword by anthropologist Lucas Bessire discussing the history and impact of pivot irrigation on American farming.

Format: Hardback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 19 April 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

In his remarkable photographic survey, The One Hundred Circle Farm, renowned photographer Emmet Gowin (b. 1941) takes us on a breathtaking aerial journey across the western and midwestern United States. Through his lens, he unveils the awe-inspiring impact of center-pivot irrigation systems on the landscape. This unique farming method involves the use of equipment that rotates around a centrally drilled well, creating vast, distinct circles of irrigated land, often in the midst of arid terrain. These iconic symbols of industrial agriculture have become a common sight for anyone who has taken a cross-country flight.

However, Gowin's powerful images go beyond mere documentation. They serve as a poignant testament to the human ambition and the delicate balance between human endeavors and the natural world. His compositions, numbering over one hundred, were meticulously crafted over an eight-year period. The fields resemble ancient civilizations, with crops that seem like strange new suns. The images are hauntingly beautiful, showcasing Earth's nurturing geology and serving as visual evidence of our laborious efforts.

Inscribed onto the earth, these irrigation lines serve as a reminder of the technology that extracts unimaginable amounts of water, a resource that cannot be replenished. They raise profound questions about the future of large-scale irrigation when the water runs dry.

The One Hundred Circle Farm is not just a visual record; it is a poetic testament to the complex relationship between human enterprise and our planet's most precious resource. With an afterword by anthropologist Lucas Bessire, the book provides valuable insights into the history and impact of pivot irrigation on American farming. It stands as a powerful reminder of the delicate balance we must maintain to ensure a sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.

In conclusion, The One Hundred Circle Farm is a remarkable exploration of the impact of irrigation systems on the landscape of the United States. Through the lens of Emmet Gowin, we are given a glimpse into the human ambition and the delicate interplay between human endeavors and the natural world. The book serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of sustainable practices and the need to protect our planet's resources for future generations.

Weight: 1270g
Dimension: 258 x 316 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691235417