Old Man River
These photos depict the Mississippi River Basin Model. Located in Clinton, Mississippi, this model once served as a physical simulation intended to examine the taming and corralling of the river, specifically in response to the Great Flood of 1927. The model, now overgrown and abandoned, reflects humanity’s (often futile) need to exert dominion over nature. The photos display the model in its current state: dilapidated as a result of constant rain and general neglect. The infrastructure put in place along the river gave local authorities the freedom to choose which areas would flood in times of natural disaster. While the Mississippi River is a major reason America has flourished in terms of trade and commerce, it has also historically harbored immense, destructive power over the landscapes it touches.
