Edward Burtynsky, “Rock of Ages #1, Active Section, E. L. Smith Quarry, Barre, Vermont”

Edward Burtynsky, "Rock of Ages #1, Active Section, E. L. Smith Quarry, Barre, Vermont" 1991. Dye-coupler print
Edward Burtynsky, “Rock of Ages #1, Active Section, E. L. Smith Quarry, Barre, Vermont” 1991. Dye-coupler print

The unexpected scale of this blows my mind because my initial assumption of size is, on further examination, revealed to be off by several orders of magnitude. The reveal happens for me through the yellow ladder just left of center, then further supported by the orange scaffolding and blue Porta-Potty. It makes me think of a landscape formed by gods and monsters, where the struggles and concerns of mere mortals gets swallowed by the hugeness of the environment.