Documentarians Travel from Vancouver to Midway
byVancouver photographer Kris Krüg wrote to me this morning from Midway Atoll, one of the most remote places on the planet, to inform me about his latest project.
Kris is with his friend, artist & activist Chris Jordan, who has been to Midway several times and produced the images seen in this YouTube video.
“He’s been mentoring me as a photographer, particulary in the area of printing my work for galleries, collections, and museums,” Kris told me, regarding Chris. “He asked me come along on the trip as a second camera and a social media documentarian.” Needless to say the offer was accepted.
What the team plans to do is create a feature-length documentary called Midway. Kris said they’re documenting the effects of plastic pollution in the ocean and after only day on the island, he’s already made grim discoveries. “Tens of thousands of baby albatross die each year of starvation and dehydration with bellies full of plastic. These babies have no feathers and have never left Midway. The mama birds and papa birds are out fishing at sea, picking up floating plastic garbage and debris, and bring it back to feed their babies. It’s horrific.”
I asked Kris how we at home and help, and the most support can come through simply sharing the images and updates he’s posting to his Flickr, Twitter, and blog. “For those with want to get involved at a deeper level we’ve received some grants and private finacing in addition to personally funding the trip out of our own pockets. Funds would help, but we’re making this movie one way or the other!”
Update March 29, 2011… More photos from the journey.
Follow the team: ChrisJordan.com, MidwayJourney.com, KrisKrug.com. Kris will return to Vancouver form Midway April 5, 2011. Read also my previous profile of Kris when he went down to Louisiana during the Gulf oil spill.
3 Comments — Comments Are Closed
Wow. Great post, thanks for giving us a little inside into this amazing project. I wish them well, and can’t wait to see this important piece. I wish the world would band together and know that we are hurting all of these little, beautiful creatures. It’s paramount t hat we look after all walks of life!
People can also follow @globalreef on Twitter and visit http://www.globalreef.org for more info. Global Reef is a Vancouver-based social enterprise dedicated to making action-based media content anchored in ocean conservation. Ian Hinkle, Global Reef’s director of media development, is co-producing Midway.
Thanks!
Graeme
WOW – I was born here. Cannot believe what the garbage has done to the island and the birds. The Albatross – we called the “Gooney Birds” so beautiful and so fragile. I have always wanted to return. I look forward to the release of the documentary.