The idea of The Sublime is associated with the notion that a great emotional response can be generated from an image of a scene or place. Sublime imagery can often appear visually uncomfortable, using scale to create a sense of grandeur that demands the viewer’s attention. This works well to create visual dominance that persuades the viewer to feel and react in a particular way in response to an image. While this might be effective in a commercial context, it does raise questions around how these types of images are used. By creating a narrative that portrays particular landscapes as negative, the viewer’s perception can be driven by fear and disgust that prevents a positive response or solution to what they are seeing. This is particularly the case with imagery that is used to show issues such as climate change, sustainability and human waste.
Edward Burtynsky’s photography of China uses The Sublime to connect with particular issues. Images of Chinese ship yards convey the work that China is doing to increase their fleets. The stature of the subjects featured instantly appears ominous, but there is actually a positive story behind the imagery that narrates China’s success as a major part of the World’s global supply chain.
https://www.edwardburtynsky.com/projects/photographs/china
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