'Aftermath' examines landscape photographs made at the sites of natural or human-made disasters including volcano eruptions and floods, massacres and uprisings, and even nuclear explosions. The photographs picture well-known or, at times, untold stories of violence, tragedy, and loss. Each scene is visually stunning yet viewers may be surprised at the elements of beauty and tranquility present in these tragic landscapes. The images remind us that disaster is often a collective experience that can tear apart the seams of a culture’s social fabric and shape histories of a culture well after an event. UMMA docents will guide visitors as they contemplate photography’s role in depicting and shaping representations of past and present landscapes of devastation.

Lead support for 'Aftermath: Landscapes of Devastation' is provided by the Herbert W. and Susan L. Johe Endowment. Additional generous support is provided by the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability and Department of Screen Arts and Cultures.