About this project
Would you trust BP with Your Drinking Water?
“People Can’t Drink Oil!” is a political print portfolio, collecting ORIGINAL hand pulled prints by 18 artists into one body of work.
This is the second political print portfolio I’ve curated. The response to the first portfolio, “Pipelines and Borderlines”, encouraged me. I arranged seven exhibits: in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. Several viewers told me they had a greater sense of awareness about the tar sands in Alberta Canada and its effect on us all. “People Can’t Drink Oil!” focuses on the other end of the pipeline, at the BP Refinery on Lake Michigan.
These portfolios are inspired by the history of political printmaking in Mexico because it resonates with the public and affects change!
My goal is to have this project resonate in a similar way, and on a larger scale than the first project!
BP, a multinational oil company, has a massive oil refinery on the shores of Lake Michigan in Whiting, In. In the last few years, they began expanding so it could process heavy crude oil from the Canadian tar sands. Tar sands oil — heavy, gooey oil — will be sent via pipeline from Alberta. To make it sufficiently liquid to be piped, it must be diluted with a volatile product similar to kerosene. Once the oil gets to BP Whiting, those toxic compounds need to be removed and disposed of during refining. The wastewater dumped into Lake Michigan will contain huge amounts of ammonia, mercury, other heavy metals and carcinogens. If BP would invest in improved wastewater treatment, this would not have to happen!
Back to the art. Each of the artists participating creates their unique vision that can connect with people and create a sense of empowerment for those of us who are not multi-national corporations. The first exhibit is scheduled in the Chicago area in August 2012.
http://www.pipelinesandborderlines.com/
More are in the planning stages. With your support I will be able to schedule a humongous amount of exhibits (maybe even double them?) over the next two years, (about the time BP is supposed to be up to full capacity) so we can reach a lot more people!
I know people care about art! I know a lot of people care about having safe water to drink! The way I see it, BP and other corporate giants have a lot of money and power. This group of artists’ vision and ability to reach people also has power. It can touch people with a truth that the BP’s of the world have long forgotten existed. When you support this project, we work together to make this happen! And you can take satisfaction in knowing that you played a role in spreading the word about preventing Lake Michigan from becoming a sewer.
Now for the nuts and bolts of what the money is for. Your donation will help cover costs of print paper used in all of the artists editions, (a LOT of paper), portfolio covers, framing, as well as shipping and publicity for each exhibit.
I know, feeling warm and fuzzy is nice, but, um, where’s the stuff? Take a look at some of these wonderful prints below! Then check out all the fantabulous rewards!!
See more images on Pipelines and Borderlines Facebook Page and "LIKE" your favorite!
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Funding period
- (28 days)