About The Project
Mulholland’s Gold explores how water management has reshaped Los Angeles’ landscape. It highlights the manipulation of natural terrain, framed as progress and technological achievement, while revealing the environmental costs of such developments.
The project’s namesake, William Mulholland, led the monumental effort to bring water to the city in 1913. Living in Los Angeles, I was drawn to its complex relationship with water, which has been crucial for its growth into a sprawling metropolis. The city’s expansion, driven by water access, showcases how vital this resource is to urban development and sustainability.
The photographs in Mulholland’s Gold capture the industrial and cultural impacts of water on the landscape. However, they don’t fully convey the negative consequences, such as air and groundwater toxicity, ecosystem destruction, and water loss from evaporation and outdated infrastructure.
From Watery Dreams To Dust
This series of photographs depicts the source of the water that was siphoned for the City of Los Angeles.
Liquid Lifeline
This series of photographs depicts the main transportation of water to all the major cities in California.
Harvesting Water
This series of photographs depicts the agricultural industry that utilizes water for various purposes.
Beef! It’s What’s For Dinner
This series of photographs depicts one of the largest ranches that utilizes water to help cater to the beef industry.
Toxic Beauty
This series of photographs depicts the mining industry that continues to utilize water within the various mining processes.
The Toll Of Black Gold
This series of photographs depicts the oil industry that utilizes water for fracking and other oil extraction processes.
Riverside Reflections
This series of photographs depicts one of the largest cities in the United States that siphoned water from the Owens Lake for its growth.
A Tale Of Two Cities
This series of photographs depicts two neighboring cities in California that abuse and have abused the usage of water.