‘On the horizon’ photography project
On the horizon is a photographic project that examines the spatial and visual manifestations of global logistics and maritime trade through the lens of temporary immobility. The project responds to concerns with global shipping infrastructure (Cowen 2014) and its geo-political and environmental impacts. It seeks to make the invisible, frictionless flows of supply chains tangible by documenting moments of logistical friction and pause. The project spans two years of observational photography off the post-industrial coast of Wollongong, Australia, to render visible the offshore queuing of cargo ships waiting for port entry. At any one time an average of four ships (and sometimes as many as eight) can be seen moored outside the harbour waiting for entry. By capturing these stationary freighters on the horizon, the work advances understandings of boundary spaces, logistical friction, and the material footprint of global capitalism.