Nationality
American
Preview
Date of Work
2013
Medium
Digital screenprint, goldleaf
Collection/Provenance
Oil/Water Exchange Portfolio, Art & Design Study Collection
This print is part of a portfolio of artworks addressing the use or misuse of our natural resources. Whether dealing with issues of flooding and diversion in the Red River Valley or oil development and fracking on the Bakken Oil Formation, printmaking students and faculty from Concordia College, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Minot State University, North Dakota State University, the University of Manitoba, the University of North Dakota and Valley City State University tackle challenging issues through the fascinating medium of printmaking.
Status
Displayed
Location
Gorecki Alumni Center
Additional Information
A golden windmill with flaming windmills in the background.
The Bakken oil field, located in western North Dakota, is illuminated by the burning of "excess" gas during the extraction of oil from the ground. Billions of dollars have been spent in the region to exploit its natural resources, yet the value placed upon the oil and natural gas is contradicted by the way it is handled.
The preciousness of our limited natural resources is called into question with the burning off of the natural gas. This burning is so numerous that the light from these gas flares is visible from space. The true precious resource is a clean, continuous source, such as wind power. Harnessing the constant wind of the Dakota prairie is far more valuable, long term, than the current boom in the Bakken oil field. When the oil is gone the wind will still be blowing, providing a clean and renewable source of energy.
Rights
Images are provided for educational purposes only and may not be reproduced for commercial use. Images may be protected by artist copyright. A credit line is required to be used for any public non-commercial educational purpose. The credit line must include, “Image courtesy of the University of North Dakota.”