Breezewood, Mars
This piece is a nod to “Breezewood, PA”, a photo taken by Edward Burtynsky that began circulating on Twitter in 2008. The original photo shows a highly concentrated mass of well-known brands, such as McDonald's, Exxon, and Pizza Hut, all within a tight shot of an enormous Pennsylvania highway interpass. The image has been associated with several critiques in recent years, often with commentary about the supposed lack of American culture or the effects of unfettered capitalism. Inspired by my time working on a Martian airplane at NASA, “Breezewood, Mars” questions the future of consumerism in the space colonization race. I wonder about the value of brand recognition in unfamiliar places. How will the future human alien fare on a terraformed planet’s capitalist landscape? More importantly, will there be McDonald's? 🍟🥺👉👈