Introduction
Oil has become an essential material for contemporary people, who use it as fuel and transform it into products. However, the uncontrolled use of this resource leads to environmental problems and climate change, which requires public and political attention. This paper will summarize the article “Transformations of Oil: Visibility, Scale, and Climate in Warren Cariou’s Petrography” by French.
Summary
In the introduction to his article, French explains the impact that the petrography works by Cariou have on the understanding of the causes and impacts of climate change (64). Cariou’s exhibits are a representation of the theme of oil through visual art. Hence, this artist uses visuals to show the viewers the impacts of the claim change induced by the use of oil and its derivatives. The broader impact of these photographs is that through visual art, one can enhance the efforts of communicating important messages to society and the politicians, such as the message about the changes in the Earth’s temperature, which will inevitably affect its inhabitants.
French proceeds by explaining the basics of petrography as a form of art. According to the author, petrography is a type of visual focused on petroleum, or “petroleum-photography” (French 65). These images were later developed using the technique that NiĂ©pce introduced in the nineteenth century. This approach has allowed Cariou to show the relationship between the human and non-human domains. Mainly, French argues that the artist explains the issue of people continuing to extract and use the oil resources and the detrimental effects of such practices (65). Hence, in his article French examines Cariou’s approach to creating visual art and the purpose of the selected methods, as well as the artistic meaning of these works.
The use of bitumen as the basis for creating photography is part of Cariou’s artistic process. The artist was inspired by the early photography techniques and the potential of using bitumen in this particular project that relates to oil (French 66). The process that this photographer used when developing these pictures is similar to the large-scale production of il. French also explains that this exhibit is important because the oil industry has become essential for modern-day people, and it is the source of life and money (66). French defines three core elements that characterize Cariou’s work which are scale, visibility, and climate (67). Hence, Carious helps bring attention to the fact that people fail to recognize the value and meaning of oil extraction and use, as well as its application in day-to-day life and impact on the change the temperature.
Conclusion
Overall, this paper is a summary of French’s article Transformations of Oil: Visibility, Scale, and Climate in Warren Cariou’s Petrography.” French analyzes the petrography works created by Cariou from the perspective of the artist’s choice of methods and theme. Mainly, Cariou uses bitumen and old-fashioned techniques to create the photos. This approach helps bring attention to the use of oil in daily life and the impact it has on the environment.
Work Cited
French, Elysia. “Transformations of Oil: Visibility, Scale, and Climate in Warren Cariou’s Petrography.” RACAR, vol. 47, no. 1, 2017, pp. 64-72.