50 Greenspace Dumpsites
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, Bigbee Field, Bigbee Street, Mount Washington
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, Highland Ave, Site #2, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, Forest Way, Site #2, Homewood North
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, Boliar Way at Parkview, Central Oakland
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, Sheraden Park Pool, Adon Street, Sheraden
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, McKinley Park, Banning Way, Beltzhoover
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, Arlington Field, Saint Patrick Street, Southside Slopes
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, Frick Park, Beechwood Boulevard Site #2, Squirrel Hill South
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, Panther Hollow Soccer Field, Greenfield
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, McKinley Park at Michigan Street and Eldora Place, Beltzhoover
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, Emerald View Park, Bradley Street, Duquesne Heights
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, Duquesne Heights Greenway, Lizardi Way, Duquesne Heights
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, Alton Playground, Beechview
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, Kite Hill Park, Ardary Street, Garfield
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, Vannucci Field, Andick Way, Beechview
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, Beechview Community Garden, Beechview
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, Saline Street Parklet, Greenfield
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, Yard Way Ball Field, Winter Park, Southside Slopes
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, McKinley Park, Parklow Street, Knoxville
50 Greenspace Dumpsites, Grandview Park, Bailey Ave, Mount Washington
50 Greenspace Dumpsites
Illegal dumping in Pittsburgh is widespread; however, it is a problem that many locals don’t even know about. The culture of dumping is boundless, affecting almost every neighborhood and socio-economic area in the city. We contacted Allegheny CleanWays, a local non-profit that organizes neighborhood clean-ups and fights illegal dumping, they granted us access to their statistical and GPS data, which was integral to developing this project.
I delved into the data, mapping known coordinates. Over 300 documented dumpsites, many exist on the sides of steep hills and in the woodsy perimeters of residential neighborhoods. More disturbing, many sites are in proximity to greenspaces used for outdoor recreation. This aspect of the data stood out so much, that we chose to document 50 of these specific locations, including public parks, little league fields, cemeteries and playgrounds.
The photographs appear to be landscapes of public spaces, but when coupled with data about the space as a dumpsite, the multiple layers of information present viewers with a new perception of these places. By creating a bridge between the unsuspecting landscape image and the truth about what happens there, we are attempting to bring a new level of significance to these sites.
This project began as a collaboration with Lauren S. Zadikow (1980-2016). Christine and Lauren began photographing together in 2001, when they met on a photography workshop in the desert southwest.