The New Landscape
The New Landscape aims to draw attention to the environmental impact of industrialised landscapes, documenting the relationship between man and nature. The photographs included a substantial amount of information about the landscapes, using their visual power to fuel the thoughts of the viewer. The book depicts the landscapes of England, and Iceland. England is 130 square kilometres in size, and with Iceland being 103 square kilometres, they share nearly the same land mass with drastically different statistics. The population of England is 53 million, whilst Iceland’s is a minuet 16% of that at 323 million. Iceland has 100% renewable energy, from their abundant hydro-electric and geothermal sources. These statistics present themselves through the distinct differences in the use of the landscape, which flows throughout the book.
There’s no purely natural environment in any of my photographs. In fact, in most of them the only natural element may be the sky, and it’s not wholly natural these days either. - Lewis Baltz , American Suburb, Oral history interview with Lewis Baltz, 2009 Nov. 15-17 Many of the landscapes presented here the viewer will see on a day to day basis. As people in the 21 century, we have been subconsciously taught to beautify these landscapes and ignore the pylons, industrial sites and clouds of smoke that fill our environment. In these photographs, the emphasis is on eschewing from adorning the landscapes. This allows the viewer to apply their own opinion upon the photographs, exploring elements of the landscape they have never stopped to question before.
Dartmoor has been a National Park since 1951. The public has open access to far reaching views of heather moorland, wide open landscapes and flowing rivers that provide an abundance of habitats for distinctive wildlife.
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China Clay production started in 1830 on Lee Moor. The industrial site compromises 2200 acres of moorland, occupying 5.5% of the heath, that are kept private from the public, causing the loss of natural surface, vegetation and animal habitat.
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Power cables have stretched across Dartmoor for decades. In 2014, a new underground power supply was added to minimise the impact on the moorland, its archaeology, wildlife and livestock.
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Farming is a dominant use of the land on Dartmoor, using over 90% of the land. Within this, livestock can roam openly, or be enclosed through fences across the moor. Animals including sheep, cattle and ponies graze on the short grass the land provides.
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Swaling, the burning of heath areas to provide better grazing for farm animals, has been taking place for 1000’s of years on Dartmoor. This contributes to the decline of natural wildlife and plants on the moor.
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Dartmoor provide 449 miles of public rights of way, including footpaths, bridleways and byways for the public to enjoy. Image taken, Cornwood to Lee Moor Public Footpath.
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Lincolnshire is one of the main areas of vegetable growth in the UK, growing large amounts of wheat, barley, sugar beat, potatoes and cabbages. In 2008, permission was granted for a wind farm consisting of 13 turbines to be built on this fen in Bicker.
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Local farmers are now at risk of being affected by plans to take up their land, to sink 40 miles of electric cabling into their ground, at 60m in width, to power the wind farms.
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There’s no purely natural environment in any of my photographs. In fact, in most of them the only natural element may be the sky, and it’s not wholly natural these days either. - Lewis Baltz , American Suburb, Oral history interview with Lewis Baltz, 2009 Nov. 15-17
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The largest offshore windfarm in the United Kingdom is in Skegness. Triton Knoll has 288 wind turbines, changing the sea side views of the tourist beach town.
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Concerns about wind farms range from, environmental impacts, such as the effects on wildlife, the knock-on effects on the local landscapes, listed buildings, disruption to public footpaths, disturbance to television and radio signals and increased Traffic.
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Thingvellir National Park is one of the most visited tourist sites in Iceland. It is home to an abundance of wildlife, such as 40% of Icelandic flora and 52 resident bird species.
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A Management plan focuses on safeguarding the nature, historical area and heritage sites of the park, to ensure the fast-growing number of guests does not pose serious consequences to the environment. The environmentally friendly plan orders to make better use of the existing infrastructure and facilities, to provide education for guests.
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The volcanic nature of the soil in Iceland, increases the chance of erosion to the land. Offtrail hikers can damage the top of the land, allowing wind and rain to erode the lower layers.
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Almost 100% of Iceland’s energy is obtained from geothermal sources. 87% of its electricity comes from hydro-power, using dams and reservoirs.
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Geothermal energy heats 89% of the homes in Iceland, which is inexpensive and reliable for residents. Combined with the low population, the architecture is unique and colourful.
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Parts of the Icelandic National Parks are closed off from the public, due to safety in the winter months and preservation of the land.
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The New Landscape Chloe Lomax 2017.