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Gowanus Wild Photo Book Captures Change in Brooklyn

Brooklyn, NY – Local photographer Miska Draskoczy, in conjunction with the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, is pleased to announce the publication of Gowanus Wild, a deluxe coffee table style photo book exploring the evolving state of nature and wilderness in the contaminated industrial neighborhood of Gowanus, Brooklyn.

gowanus-wild-photo-bookThe images in Gowanus Wild depict scenes of urban decay intertwined with wild growth, captured just as the neighborhood began to transition into one of Brooklyn’s current hotbeds of urban renewal and development. With the federal government’s Superfund cleanup plan recently kicking into high gear, a new chapter begins for this waterway infamous for its environmental destruction, but which has long held New Yorkers’ fascination as an eerie and otherworldly place.

The book contains more than 50 color images, an essay by Andrea Parker, Executive Director of the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, as well as nine poems and an essay by photographer Miska Draskoczy. A book launch party and artist talk is scheduled for Thursday November 17th, 7-9pm at the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, 543 Union St. Brooklyn, NY 11217 (RSVP: [email protected]). A second launch event will take place on Sunday, December 4th, 4-6pm at the Gowanus Souvenir Shop (RSVP: [email protected]) which will host an exhibition of prints from the series and feature an opening reception and artist talk with photographer Miska Draskoczy and photo editor Emily Shornick.

Gowanus Wild is published by Unnatural Kingdom, a newly launched Brooklyn-based small press focused on art and photography editions, and in conjunction with the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, an organization which serves as the environmental steward for the Gowanus Canal Watershed and envisions the evolution of an open, clean and alive canal and neighborhood. Additional support comes from Arts Gowanus, a local arts organization which runs the annual Gowanus Open Studios event and which is committed to ongoing support of Gowanus artists.

“As Gowanus enters a period of dramatic change, ranging from the comprehensive cleanup to a probable rezoning to rising sea levels, it is critical that we treasure and steward the neighborhood’s productive industrial and ecological history. This book is a testament to the current wild power of the Gowanus Canal, and an important part of the dialogue in what it will become.” –Andrea Parker, Executive Director, Gowanus Canal Conservancy

“I believe that the human desire to connect with wilderness is a primal force in constant search of outlets. As we increasingly live in a world where nature and the man-made are inseparable, I hope this book will serve as a trail guide to accessing the wonders of these hybrid ecosystems in the heart of our cities.” –Miska Draskoczy, photographer

Gowanus Wild is currently available for purchase at the publisher’s website and on Amazon.com for the retail price of $50.

Website: gowanuscanalconservancy.org