Blast Furnace, Cleveland 2016

This photograph of a blast furnace in Cleveland was made by Andrew Borowiec. It’s a complex scene, full of structures that seem to grow organically, and the palette of greys and browns really speaks to the industrial process. There is a lot going on here, but nothing is concealed. The scene is documented as-is, like a topographical survey. The texture is raw, and you can almost feel the grit and heat just by looking at the image. The plume of steam billowing from the furnace is especially arresting. It’s a reminder of the tremendous energy and labor involved in making steel, and it's a beautiful, yet unsettling sight. Thinking about how Borowiec sees the world makes me think of Bernd and Hilla Becher who systematically documented water towers and other industrial structures. Like the Bechers, Borowiec doesn’t give us a fixed interpretation; instead, we are free to reflect on the complex relationship between industry, labor, and the environment.