Artist
Mitch Epstein (American, born 1952)American, born 1952
CultureAmerican
Titles
- Amos Coal Power Plant III, West Virginia
- from the series American Power
Date2007
Place depictedWinfield, West Virginia, United States
MediumChromogenic print
DimensionsImage: 45 × 57 in. (114.3 × 144.8 cm)
Credit LineGift of John A. MacMahon
Object number2017.164
Not on view
Explore Further
Department
PhotographyObject Type
Epstein creates large-scale works in a documentary aesthetic, operating under
the belief that the truth is often more interesting than fiction. His series American
Power, taken over a period of five years, examines the relationships
between electrical, political, and corporate power. “Settlers did not expect
that their material ease would ultimately require more energy than the land
could give,” wrote Epstein of this series. Exhibiting energy creation’s
destructive impact on the land, the John E. Amos power plant, shown here, emits
over 13 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, equivalent to adding
3.5 million cars to the road.
Provenance[Sikkema Jenkins & Co., New York]; purchased by John A. MacMahon, 2008; given to MFAH, 2017.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Printed label on verso board, lower right, from Sikkema Jenkins & Co., New York
Cataloguing data may change with further research.
If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.
Lewis W. Hine
September 1908
Gelatin silver print
97.697
