Broughton Archipelago II
Consideration is given in this total series of work to how various modes of representation cloud what we are actually seeing. Such depictions normally fall into the genre of “landscape photography, print or painting”, “wildlife photography” or “the scientific”. The employment of these modes themselves, affect societies' understanding and appreciation of wilderness habitat such as is found in the Broughton Archipelago.
In October 2005, Zeigler traveled to the Broughton specifically to photograph grizzly bears dependent on native salmon stocks as a prime source of nutrition. As native fish stocks diminish, the lives of many species indigenous to this area, of which the grizzly bear is an example, are threatened. Whales have also altered where they swim in the Broughton because of the high-pitched sounds that are emitted underwater from the area of the fish pens, to keep seals and sea lions away.
1. Scavengers, 73.7 x 91.4 cm (29 x 36”), digital archival pigment print,
2004 - 07.
2. Blue Heron 1, 78.7 x 106.7 cm (31” x 42”), digital archival pigment print, 2004-08 .
3. Grizzly Bear 1, Glendale Cove, Knight Inlet, BC, 73 x 106.7 (28.75 x 42”), digital archival pigment print , 2005-07.
7. Pink Salmon Smolt , Broughton Archipelago , BC, (110.2 x 111.8 cm (43.4 x 44”), digital archival pigment print .
5. Orca's Wake, Queen Charlotte Strait, BC . Two 83.8 x 127 cm (33 x 50”), backlit film light boxes 2003-08.
8. Pink Salmon Smolt , Broughton Archipelago , BC, (110.2 x 111.8 cm (43.4 x 44”), digital archival pigment print.
4. Orca's Wake, Queen Charlotte Strait, BC . Two 83.8 x 127 cm (33 x 50”), backlit film light boxes 2003-08.
As their prime food source in this region is being severely threatened, the list of other species affected by the decline in native fish stocks continues to grow. The oval format used in the depiction of some of these species has 19th century, as well as contemporary popular-culture, references. This format is employed to critique how we obscure our understanding of these creatures through cultural framing.