Project Title: "As If Nothing Ever Happened" – Photography and Video

“As If Nothing Ever Happened” is a photographic and video project inspired by the transformation of Freshkills Park in Staten Island—from a massive landfill to a site of reclamation. The work draws a parallel between environmental decay and the trauma of the working class, whose experiences of exploitation and systemic neglect often remain buried and unseen, much like the layers of waste in the landfill.

The series juxtaposes destruction with glimpses of renewal, reflecting the difficult process of confronting and transforming trauma. Through this work, the project explores how, with time and effort, what was once toxic can be reclaimed, offering the possibility of healing and growth. It invites viewers to consider how the pain of the past, though often ignored or forgotten, can lead to a future of renewal and change.