About the photographer and his work:

Edward Burtynsky has traveled internationally for more than a decade to chronicle the global production, distribution, and use of oil; the energy source that has shaped the modern world. This world premiere exhibition provides a penetrating look at one of the most important subjects of our time, by one of the most respected and recognized contemporary photographers in the world.

Curator Paul Roth’s introduction to the Corcoran Exhibition entitled “Edward Burtynsky: Oil”:

Another video: “Manufactured Landscapes” by Edward Burtynsky:

More from DCist.com (emphasis added):

“How do you photograph something you can’t see?,” was the question Edward Burtynsky faced when creating the images in Oil, on view at the Corcoran Gallery of Art starting tomorrow. The world-renowned photographer began his career focused on consumerism and consumption, but around 15 years ago he had his “oil epiphany” – that oil is at the center of everything in an industrialized world and yet, we never see it, only its end products. The resulting portfolio of work is not a heavy-handed political statement, but a gorgeous documentary on the uses and ugliness of oil. I first discovered Burtynsky’s work in the (must-see) 2006 documentary Manufactured Landscapes and, admittedly, have eagerly been looking forward to seeing his work in person. It did not even remotely disappoint.

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