De-Evolution

Video │photographed, filmed, recorded & edited by Emerson Little

Runtime: 3 minutes, 21 seconds

Year: 2023

Artist Statement

Inspired and influenced by early 19th century industrial photography and the history of technological invention, De-Evolution is an experimental video exploring dying industries of the 20th century that have led to the climate change crisis in the 21st century. Raw photo-collage animation and moving images of dying oil wells, as well as cement, and asphalt manufacturing plants are superimposed on top of one another to examine how remnants of Orange County’s past are alive in the present, demonstrating how quality of life within suburban environments can be deeply affected by the noise and air pollution of industry. Rusted gauges, metal latches, pulleys, beams, and wires – all common materials found in industrial machinery – merge in this manufactured nightmare, which serves as both a wake-up call and a stark warning.     

Old structures, such as dilapidated buildings, smokestacks, oil wells, and machinery left behind act as eerie reminders of a bygone era. The items seen here are ghosts inhabiting our contemporary world. With this video, I’m looking to showcase the decay and deterioration of industries, and how that impacts contemporary life. By recording what’s hidden in plain view, I am demonstrating how remnants of factories and mechanical institutions have become so integrated into the cityscapes that people no longer notice them. Through this video, I’m revisiting early, forgotten machinery through the lens of the digital mirrorless camera.