Waters of the Americas: EPA ID NYD980592497, Eastman Kodak’s Emissions B (Michigami Omaa Akiing: Biinitoon-Agindaasowin NYD980592497, Eastman Kodak Wiinaagamiin B)

Three large framed rectangular pieces are hanging on a dark green wall. They are all shades of blue swirling together--darker on top, medium in the middle, and lighter on the bottom. To the right is a video screen which is part of a different artwork.

Waters of the Americas by Meghann Riepenhoff, 2022

Three Dynamic Cyanotypes. Courtesy the artist and Yossi Milo Gallery © Meghann Riepenhoff Installation photography by Charlie Edwards, courtesy of the University of Michigan Museum of Art

About the Art

Michigami Omaa Akiing (in Anishinaabemowin)

Meghann Riepenhoff
Gichimookomaanakiing, 1979 gaa-ondaadizi

Michigami Omaa Akiing: Biinitoon-Agindaasowin NYD980592497, Eastman Kodak Wiinaagamiin B (Maadaawan Casconchiagon Ziibi gaye Kanadario Zaagaa’igan, Onaabani-giizis 12, 2022)
2022
Niswi Ozhaawashkwaazhe Mazinaakizigewinan
Nimiigwechiwenimaanaan Gaazheninjiged miinawaa Yossi Milo izhi-waabanda’amowaad gaazheninjigaadeg
Mishigami Gichigabegikendaasowigamig izhi-Ganawendaanaawaan Gaazheninjigaadeg waabanda’inegwaa ge Wayekwaajiwan izhiseg wenji-nanaandomangid Gaazheninjiged

Meghann Riepenhoff ogii-ayaa besho Kanadario Zaagaa’igan mii dash giizhenindang Michigami Omaa Akiing: Biinitoon-Agindaasowin NYD980592497, Eastman Kodak Wiinaagamiin B (Maadaawan Casconchiagon Ziibi gaye Kanadario Zaagaa’igan, Onaabani-giizis 12, 2022). Mii epiichi ogii-anokiiwag Kodak debenjigejig wiiyagishkamowaad Kanadario Zaagaa’igan mii noongom wenji-wiinaagamaag. Ezhi-mazinaakiziganike ozhaawashkobii’ang mazina’igan mii dash aabajitood wiinaagamiin miinawaa giizis-waasakwanewin ji-gikinoo’amawiyangid ezhi-bichibonaaniwang nibi. Daa-nisidawaaabanjigaade omaa ge giishpin aabajichigaadeg nibi gaa-onzikaag ziibiing ji-mazinaakizigeyang, geyaabi dash wiiyagishkaamang nibi apii mazinaakiziganikeyang.

Waters of the Americas (in English)

Meghann Riepenhoff
United States, born 1979

Waters of the Americas: EPA ID NYD980592497, Eastman Kodak’s Emissions B (Confluence of the Genesee River and Lake Ontario, Rochester, NY, 03.12.2022)
2022
Three Dynamic Cyanotypes
Courtesy of the artist and Yossi Milo Gallery
Commissioned by the University of Michigan Museum of Art for Watershed

Meghann Riepenhoff created Waters of the Americas: EPA ID NYD980592497, Eastman Kodak’s Emissions B (Confluence of the Genesee River and Lake Ontario, Rochester, NY, 03.12.2022) on the shores of Lake Ontario in upstate New York. Because of Kodak and other industrial polluters, the Lake Ontario watershed is now one of the greatest repositories of carcinogens in New York State. To make her photographs, she hand-coats sheets of paper with UV-sensitive cyanotype emulsion and then places the treated paper in direct contact with polluted water to create an indexical image of its contents. The vivid, swirling blues of the resulting cyanotypes evoke the toxic materials contained within the water. Riepenhoff’s use of the Genesee River water draws attention to the pollution photographs can create, even as her photography is used as a medium for activism.

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