The photo exhibition “Crude Reflections/Cruda Realidad: Oil, Ruin and Resistance in the Amazon Rainforest” tells the story of residents of the Ecuadorian Amazon who suffer from chronic illnesses — including cancer and genetic disease — which they believe are attributable to the toxic byproducts of oil drilling in their homeland.
The exhibit, which opened at Galería de la Raza, October 1, showcases photographs taken by Lou Dematteis and testimonials from the indigenous people exposed to the pernicious effects of oil drilling in the Amazon. The exhibit is based on a book, by the same name, published by City Lights Publishing.
In addition, the photographs portray the active resistance that is now taking place against Chevron, which activists believe is financially responsible for the environmental disaster left behind by Texaco (now a part of Chevron) in the early 90s.
In 1964, Texaco began drilling in the Ecuadorian Amazon and from 1972 until 1992, dumped over 19 billion gallons of toxic wastewater into the region.
Dematteis, who spoke along with Carolina Ponce de Leon, executive director of the gallery and Elaine Katzenberger, executive director of City Lights Publishing, explained how the book and the exhibit came to be.
Dematteis said he initially went to Ecuador to document the court case pending between the Indigenous peoples and Chevron. But as he began to listen to the experiences of those affected, his approach transformed and his focus became telling the personal stories of the people living in the affected areas.
“The project was not only to photograph,” he said. “We took testimonies.”
He said that, because of the ongoing court case, it was difficult to find a publisher for the book at first.
One publisher sent the manuscript back with a note that read, “This seems like a lawsuit waiting to happen.”
After many refusals, Dematteis went to City Lights Publishing at the suggestion of Ponce de Leon.
Katzenberger told the crowd she figured the story would be an important one to tell, and worth the possible lawsuit.
Dematteis has a theory as to why the book couldn’t find a publisher.
“Really, the book was being censored by Chevron,” he said. “A very aggressive corporation.”
The show runs from Oct. 4 – Nov. 5. Gallery hours are Wed-Sat 12-6pm and Tues. 1-7pm. For more information about the Galeria de la Raza, visit galeriadelaraza.org