Permanent Error

by Pieter Hugo (Photographer), Federica Angelucci (Contributor), Jim Puckett (Contributor)

The most recent publication from the award-winning photographer Pieter Hugo reveals the devastating consequences of toxic waste on one community in Africa. In his previous well-received volumes of photographs, Hugo offers unflinching yet striking portraits of humans, animals, societies, and landscapes that shock and disturb, but also demand our attention. In Permanent Error, he documents a garbage dump in Ghana that has become the repository for discarded computers from around the world. These haunting images document the true cost of a misguided policy-the shipping of millions of tons of obsolete computers to developing countries. The computers are burned to extract valuable metals, effectively turning the site into a toxic wasteland that contaminates air, soil, and groundwater for miles around. These amazing portraits tell a story of a marginal community overwhelmed by poverty, but where human strength and resilience shine through the inhuman conditions Hugo lays bare.

Genres: Photography

112 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2011

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are really striking and upsetting photographs, beautifully seen and reproduced.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book of photos of the e-waste dump in Accra, Ghana. What I might call the introduction was at the back of the book, so it was lucky (or something) that I already knew too much for my peace of mind about third world burning toxic illegally transported first world tech waste to reclaim metals to sell. Not much variation in the photos, and not much information.

But hard to look away.

[Wayne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book combines Hugo's compelling style of African portraits with a specific place and situation (e-waste dump in Ghana). Hugo seems to be able to utilize the light resulting from the toxic air. The result is you are lured into looking carefully and leave the experience thinking about the miserable conditions much differently than you do with many other work documenting deplorable conditions.