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The air of China fills with particle
pollution and Benedikt Partenheimer’s series Particular Matter comments on this
issue. Further, Partenheimer studies the human condition as it pertains to the
environment. Thus, he discovers how humans view and treat the world. In this
particular series there is an absence of light due to the air pollution. There
is a reference to painting with the technique of sfumato, which blends shades
together, creating soft lines. Partenheimer seeks out this issue that is one of
the biggest environmental subjects. Initially the image Huangpu River/AQI 440
has a beautiful and peaceful ambience but then curiosity of the title arises.
Investigation and realization of what AQI means, air quality index, and the
severity of this problem to the population is evident, thus changing the
meaning and feeling of this series. While Huangpu River/AQI 440 appears more of
a fog landscape, Shijiazhuang 2014/AQI 360 represents a clear picture on the
severity of the issue on the cityscape in which only outlines of buildings are
accessible. With Chimneys/AQI 340, only two similar shapes are detectable at
the bottom of the image. Air quality indexes over 300 are hazardous not only
the environment but especially to the population’s health and life expectancy. Partenheimer’s
website illustrates the critical aspect of air quality indexes between 301 and
500, “serious aggravation of heart of lung disease and premature mortality in
persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly; serious risk of
respiratory effects in general population”. The purpose of this series mimics deception
just as the Chinese government deceives the Chinese population on the extremity
of the air, but also to, in the end expose the reality.
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