Edward Burtynsky’s Shipbreaking series explores the dismantling of massive ships in India and Bangladesh as the ultimate form of recycling. Inspired by the shift to double-hulled ships after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Burtynsky sees the process as a study of humanity’s skill and the consequences of industrial progress. The photographs capture the end of time, showcasing the destruction left behind by human endeavors. Despite the bleak subject matter, the images also reveal a sense of beauty and vastness, suggesting that nature can eventually reclaim the land from human intervention as needs and desires evolve.
https://www.edwardburtynsky.com/projects/photographs/shipbreaking