David Maisel’s American Mine

David Maisel‘s photographic series American Mine is getting on a bit now–he started it in 2007–but it’s one of those projects that become more relevant with age. To me his work highlights the paradox of admiring beauty in the organized destruction of something valuable. To be honest, all of David’s work is stunning; I suggest checking out his portfolio.

According to the American Mine project page, “Rather than a condemnation of a specific industry […] my images are intended as an aesthetic response to such despoiled landscapes. These sites are the contemplative gardens of our time, places that offer the opportunity to reflect on who and what we are collectively, as a society.”

Pictured above: American Mine (Carlin, NV 21)

American Mine (Carlin, NV 6)

American Mine (Carlin, NV 2)