INTO THE GEARS OF THE MACHINE
Words, photographs and personal experiences from the year the UK climate movement went into overdrive.
Featuring interviews with several prominent activists from groups including Just Stop Oil and Animal Rebellion as they grapple with a government clampdown and the unrelenting urgency of a burning world.
THE PROJECT STARTED WITH AN ACTION. IN APRIL 2022 HUNDREDS OF ACTIVISTS BLOCKED 10 OIL TERMINALS ACROSS THE UK DEMANDING AN END TO NEW OIL AND GAS PROJECTS. IT WAS A DRAMATIC AND EMPOWERING MOMENT, BUT IT DIDN'T WORK.
THE UK GOVERNMENT WENT INTO REPRESSION MODE, CRAFTING NEW LEGISLATION TO CLAMPDOWN ON PEACEFUL PROTEST AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. THEY DOUBLED DOWN ON FOSSIL FUELS, PUSHING AHEAD WITH OVER 100 NEW OIL AND GAS LICENSES IN CONTRADICTION WITH THEIR OWN CLIMATE CHANGE COMMITTEE AND THE ADVICE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY AND THE CONSENSUS OF THE WORLD'S SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY VIA THE IPCC.
THIS IS THE STORY OF A YEAR IN THAT FIGHT AND THE PEOPLE WHO REFUSE TO GIVE UP THEIR FUTURE.
The images contained in this book were made in the year from March 2022-23 in a mixture of formats: primarily, digital (via Sony A7III) and 35mm film (via Canon EOS 650), as well as Polaroid colour film (via Polaroid Supercolor 635CL).
The typography was produced using an Olympia Traveller de Luxe typewriter.
The book was independently published on 1 April 2023 with a limited edition signed version wrapped in handmade artwork by artist Hannah Johnston and 5 limited run prints
The band Persephone in the Underworld made a soundtrack to accompany the work
Hashim Hussain coded an immersive website with images, writing and soundtrack
Words for the book were written by documentary photographer Robin Gardener and include interviews with activists: Miranda Whelehan, Steve Tooze, Dora Hargitai, Toby Brown, Tez Burns, Maddie Budd, Kai Bartlett, Andrew Sage, Louis McKechnie, Jan Goodey, Sean Irish, Phoebe Plummer, Emma Brown, Dr.Larch Maxey, Lance Lau and Indigo Rumbelow.