Renewal Amidst the Rubble: New Book of Photographs Considers Environmental Stewardship

LOS ANGELES, June 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- While traveling the world, visiting ancient archeological marvels, artist Greta Grigorian discovered modern ruins that reveal more about our future than our past. Overlooked scenery in unexpected places led her to wonder: Are we indifferent to what matters most?

In her new book of photographs — Man/Earth: A View of the Modern Landscape — Grigorian draws attention to junk, abandoned factories and mines, construction debris, and other loose ends of commerce thoughtlessly cast aside. The collection makes a beautiful and poignant statement about society's stewardship of the environment.

"Most of the pictures were taken when I was going through a life transition and eager to find a new path. I noticed a theme start to emerge in the photographs, there was a carelessness to the wreckage, but there also was renewal. This gave me hope."

The photographs in Man/Earth ($38, www.Man-Earth.com) capture unexpected juxtapositions: man-made objects intruding on nature; man's attempts to yoke wild terrain. Grigorian finds colossal precast concrete elbows littered along a rocky coast as one might have imagined pyramid builders abandoning blocks they didn't use.  In another image, a car is swallowed by vines as the earth ingests its rubbish.

The environment appears to police itself, but this is a ruse. An office chair among the ruins of an abandoned mine sits alone. Nature will not take this back. "There is a lack of accountability by those who left these things behind," suggests the author.

"I find it fascinating that humans created and abandoned these machines and buildings. There is a message here about our deep connection to the earth and how we, and our governments, should treat the planet. "

About Greta

Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Greta Grigorian currently resides in Los Angeles. She is a graduate of the Otis Parsons School of Design. Greta worked as a Set Decorator, Art Director and Production Designer in the film and television industry for 27 years where her experiences helped refine both her artistic interests and eye toward the interesting and the absurd. A car accident led to a career shift into writing, painting and photography through which she conveys themes of hope, repurposing and renewal for the global community. Her first children's book, Amy goes to Mars will be released next month.

Cover: http://www.xpresspress.com/Cover-Man-Earth.jpg

Review copies available.

Contacts:

Greta Grigorian, [email protected], 213-952-4823

Tina Koenig, publicist, [email protected], 954-989-3338

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SOURCE Greta Grigorian