Edward Burtynsky on The Anthropocene Project at MAST Bologna

Edward Burtynsky, Jennifer Baichwal, and Nicholas de Pencier collaborated for four years on The Anthropocene Project, resulting in an exhibition at MAST in Bologna. Burtynsky discusses the aesthetic appeal of his photographs depicting environmental devastation, arguing that beauty draws viewers into confronting uncomfortable truths. He notes that his landscapes are not disaster scenes but reflections of everyday life, showing the consequences of human consumption. The project used carbon offsetting through Less Emissions to mitigate its environmental impact. Burtynsky revisited Carrara marble quarries, first photographed in 1993, observing technological advances like diamond cutting. He believes art and photography can raise awareness and complement scientific approaches to environmental issues.