Fare Buoyantly (Owens Dust) is a northwestern view of Owens Lake located in the Mojave Desert, during a dust storm. The salty particulate consists of halite, trona, nickel, mirabilite, arsenic, and cadmium.
In 1913, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power began the diversion of its arteries to feed its reservoir. Owens lowered for over ten years and held water until the mid 1920’s, altering the face of farmland in the valley. The region is known for high winds, making the dry lake the largest single source of dust pollution in the United States. Such is the cause for increased respiratory illnesses in the region. Mount Whitney, the highest summit in the contiguous United States is in frame, but disappeared by airborne particulate (PM).
When first made, this and a number of other photographs, such as Views from Owens Lighthouse on an acceptably clear morning (looking eastward) were to serve as fodder for the construction of a desert lighthouse that would overlook the ghost that once was the productive lake, making buoyant once again Owen’s lost barges and other such vessels while providing direction through the storm.
Fare Buoyantly (Owens Dust)
2006
chromogenic print on acrylic with enamel on acrylic frame
Views from Owens Lighthouse on an acceptably clear morning
2006
four chromogenic prints
Fare Buoyantly (Owens Dust)
2006
chromogenic print on acrylic with enamel on acrylic artist made frame