The Hand of Man

“Hand of Man” Is an exhibit of images and video looking at the engines of the Anthropocene, the machines that extract the raw materials of our consumer society. Being the epitome of function over form, these behemoths have a unique alluring beauty

There are many aspect to this series: the beautiful high-resolution images, along with videos of the machines working, and augmented content in the form of maps, data, and supplemental imagery.

Museums remain trusted institutions which offer entertainment, information, and comfort, while being places of refuge.
But it is important to remain current and contemporary.

This exhibit addresses the disconnect between man’s ingenuity and lack of foresight, and thus prompts a dialog about our inability to address long term consequences. An we can never ignore our fascination with the machines that can shape our world.

There are numerous layers of art and information which allow the visitor to appreciate just the art, or dig deeper into the science behind it.

Visitors leave with a deeper understanding of the Climate Crisis and Anthropocene, but also with a fresh perspective on these issues which affect all of us.

“The vivid color photographs of J Henry Fair lead an uneasy double life as potent records of environmental pollution and as ersatz evocations of abstract painting... information and form work together, to devastating effect.”
— Roberta Smith, The New York Times

J Henry Fair discusses his process