Photographic Exhibition “Nunca Máis” – the Prestige oil spill (2003)
As a consequence of the oil spill produced by the wreck of the Prestige oil tanker, in November 2002, the Galician coast received numerous oil slicks that gradually filled the entire coastline. A traditionally fishing area suddenly saw their way of life threatened, so the inhabitants of the area went out to sea to try to stop the arrival of the oil spill on the coast. They were later joined by numerous volunteers who collected and cleaned the oil-contaminated shoreline. The indignation of society over the catastrophe and also over the management of the spill by public institutions and the political party that at that time governed Galicia and also Spain raised numerous criticisms and protests as well as a citizen movement called Nunca Máis.
I had the opportunity to carry out a photographic report of those moments, thanks to the help of the Casa de la Juventud de Córdoba, where this exhibition would later take place. This exhibition collected the point of view of two photographers on the ecological catastrophe of the Prestige, here I show my photographs with which I contributed to this project.
A cloak that covers everything, a grotesquely beautiful scene. The smells and the images are mixed with the nausea of a still life, little can escape this desolation. Camelle, next to the museum of Man. Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
The crosses pray for a dead sea and a people trying to rise again. The rough sea pushed the oil to the heart of Muxía, a place of forced mourning for the ambition of men. Before that, only a couple of workers testing a new cleaning system… three days to clean that square and it was still dirty. Muxía putting on makeup before New Year’s Eve. Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
An oiled promenade, a black-tinted beach. Where are the solutions? Where are the sophisticated media? Only a few baskets and the hands of the volunteers and workers are the solution against this disaster. Is it enough?… Paseo de Muxía, Galicia. Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
It’s a mirage. The beaches seem clean, crystal clear, aseptic…; but the volunteers strive to collect the tiny spots that the waves leave as the tide goes down. Another face of pollution, invisible from a helicopter… Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
The children… don’t understand much but they know that something is wrong because they see their tense parents, shouting and protesting… for something that was taken from them… for the land, for the sea, for the life that for a moment became Death… belongs to them, it belongs to the children and they have taken it from them, it belongs to everyone and they have taken it from us. Barra beach. Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
In front of the Government delegation in La Coruña, the crosses brought by tens of thousands of protesters crowded before the nervous gaze of the Police. That was another tide, a tide of protest, a tide of demands, a tide that seeks to clean up the incompetence of those who say they want the best for their people. Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
On Orzán Beach, in La Coruña, the sea breaks against the beach where the crosses continue as a sign of mourning and death. The Galicians with their arms crossed… only as a sign of protest. The flags wave sending a message: Nunca Máis (Never Again). Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
The crosses on Orzán Beach are the only thing missing to make the Galician coast look like a cemetery. Death, silence, desolation… settled on that coast in the form of oil. La Coruna, Galicia. Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
At Lira Beach, volunteers try to get rid of the sticky oil that is removed by tractors. The sea sprays with wind and water those who clean in an environment with the aroma of Diesel, boots and gloves become heavy and any job requires more effort with each passing moment. Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
The volunteers have to back off against the strong waves of the rising tide, watching helplessly as a black shadow stains again the stones they had just cleaned.
Despair, impotence,… Lira Beach. Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
Sailors are busy cleaning their boats after collecting oil. Ports are no longer places where fishing activity takes place, but have become a coming and going of containers, trucks and ships loaded with oil. Port of Cangas. Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
The means available to remove the oil are simple. The tools prepared for the daily battle, some cry out “War” and others threaten sharp points ready to stick into the tar. Port of Cangas. Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
The means available to remove the oil are simple. The tools prepared for the daily battle, some cry out “War” and others threaten sharp points ready to stick into the tar. Port of Cangas. Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
Protests by volunteers who feel abandoned due to the reckless lack of coordination between institutions. They also complain, but no one hears them. Port of Muxia. Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
Soldiers with a BNG nationalist. There is no confrontation between ideologies, there are no races, nor religions, nor any reason that distinguishes one from another. All under the same slogan: Never Again; all with a common idea: that everything goes back to the way it was before. Lonja de Muxía. End of the year. Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
Brazilian rhythms resound (photo below) after the chimes with Carlos Nuñez at the Lonja de Muxía. End of the year. Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
The fishermen’s wives, in addition to having lost their jobs like their husbands (since many helped in the fishing work), have to see how they sink into anxiety crises at the same time that they see their sea dyed black and with he his future. But it is incredible to see how they bring out superhuman strength and prepare the food for the volunteers and then wash their trays, and always with a grateful smile on their faces. Heroines… Muxía Market. Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
Crosses and more crosses are few for the amount of death that lives on the Galician coast. Some 60,000 dead birds…; La Coruna, Galicia. Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
Photographic Exhibition “Nunca Máis” – the Prestige oil spill 2002
Humanity, is when a friendly face emerges above the disaster that tells you: I am with you, we are facing together. Among the oil containers there is humanity. Port of Muxia. Prestige Shipwreck, oil spill and ecological catastrophe (2002). Isaacgp.com
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