CURATOR’S COMMENTS: Crisis: The Day the Oil Stopped Pumping
Crisis: The Day the Oil Stopped Pumping is a photographic narrative that ponders the question of what would happen to the United States if it ran out of oil? Oil is a non-renewable energy resource that is becoming scarce. Currently there is no alternative plan in place for the day when oil can no longer be produced. Without an alternative plan the world will find itself in a time before electricity.
So what would happen the day the oil stops pumping? The affects on medicine, culture, transportation, trade, economic stability and food production would be on a global scale and lead to widespread poverty. Starvation and anarchy would ensue in the most extreme cases and more wars would be waged for the quest for oil. Our daily lives are completely dependent on oil. Is our thirst for oil so great that we are willing to lose a countless amount of lives and destroy the world as we know it?
This project was inspired by the current events surrounding climate change and the energy crisis. My objective is not be lecturing or take sides on a a controversial issue. Instead, the pictures in this piece are meant to provoke thought and become a motivator for change. Lack of political will and a public hesitant to change is tragic. But without a plan for change it will be tragedy for sure. – Rebecca A. Battle
Below is a link to a photographic short that shows our dependence on oil and how integral it is to our daily lives. For the photoplay please visit: www.battle-studios.com
Rebecca A. Battle's Art Gallerium 
CURATOR’S COMMENTS: Asylum
It was my first ghost hunt. I went with friends who booked a tour to Pennhurst Penitentiary located in Spring City, Pennsylvania
known for its paranormal experiences. Not only was I interested in the possibility of encountering some spirits but I also thought it would make for an interesting photo shoot. And yes we did experience something with the spirit known as Emily.
While waiting for the sun to set and darkness to take over, I was busy taking photos. I’m usually in the habit of checking my camera for every photo I take and everything looked fine until I uploaded to edit and noticed that mostly everything I shot was blurry. I have a steady hand so I’m not sure whether it was nerves or something else. Strangely I did find my camera to be a bit uncooperative that night. Anyway, it all makes for an interesting opportunity to portray the ghoulishness and unwelcome feeling that permeates the place.
After years of allegations of abuse by institutional caretakers, Bill Baldini a CBS10 correspondent anchored a five part television series entitled “Suffer the Little Children” exposing the neglectful and appalling conditions of widespread abuse that eventually led to a class action suit on behalf of its patients. You can view this documentary at http://preservepennhurst.com/default.aspx?pg=26.
The Halderman Case was a federal case that alleged that the conditions at Pennhurst were unsanitary, inhumane and dangerous and a violation of the fourteenth amendment. In 1983, nine employees were indicated on charges of beating patients some of whom were in wheelchairs.
To view the entire series of Asylum please visit my website. http://www.battle-studios.com
Exhibitions
dentist chair
Pennhurst ghost hunt
Pennhurst Penitentiary