PETROLEUM PARADOX. FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE?
EXHIBITION THEME:
The discovery of oil, in 1859, in Pennsylvania, transformed our way of life; we are enveloped by petroleum products - from the shoes we wear, to the materials our clothes are made of, to the way we heat our houses, to our modes of transportation. Oil dependency pollutes the environment causing respiratory illness, endangers wildlife, and necessitates the large scale loss of life as we search to secure sources of oil overseas. How do we initiate change with this rush to grab dwindling non-renewable energy assets, instead of focusing on renewable energy and the prevention of global warming?
Our founding fathers could not have envisioned that our two-party system, with built-in checks and balances, would fail to safeguard against the tyranny of big oil companies. The failure of our elected officials to implement an effective energy policy leaves the American people in a vulnerable position. A petroleum based economy subjects our citizens to resource-based wars that jeopardizes our children and holds our standard of living perilously tied to the price of a barrel of oil.
Fossil fuels are contributing to global warming and misinformation about global warming on media networks owned by major corporations, benefits the status quo. The self-interest of the American people is not paralleled by the self-interest of energy companies that seek to maximize profits at the expense of innovation and development. This exhibit seeks to raise awareness of our imperiled democracy and the Petroleum Paradox. What do you think about the Petroleum Paradox and what is happening in our oil dependent society and world?
JUROR:
Eleanor Heartney, Contributing Editor to Art in America and Artpress.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION Must complete submission by Friday, February 10, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST.
DETAILS AT: www.entrythingy.com/www.nationalwca.org#dashboard
