New Farmer

The photos in agri­cul­tur­al brochures and reports often depict the Green Revolution as a success: high-yielding crops, satisfied farmers with modern machinery, and no weeds. But is that the whole story? 

New Farmer is a series of 1960s-style documentary photos that seem to support this success narrative, showing genetic innovations leading to larger harvests. However, as the story progresses, the images become increas­ing­ly unbe­liev­able, revealing themselves to be AI-generated. The narrative, though loosely based on real events, takes a surreal turn, showing oversized vegetables instead of today’s monocultures. 

Through humour and absurdity, New Farmer challenges the Green Rev­o­lu­tion’s dominant story, urging viewers to reflect on our rela­tion­ship with nature and the long-term impact of our actions.

Bruce Eesly, New Farmer (2023) is presented as part of the exhibition Hybrid Futures: Rhizomes, Meshworks & Alter-Ecologies, organised and produced by Elektron.
Curators: Vincent Crapon & Françoise Poos.

Bruce Eesly
New Farmer, 2023
Digital print on canvas 
Courtesy of the artist
Presented by Elektron on the occasion of the European Month of Photography.