Florida and the Machine
"Florida and the Machine" is a story of nature vs. Big Tech, of the forces of AI and mass production set against land stewardship and protection of North Florida's unique and fragile natural environment. It tells how a certain billionaire 'philanthropist', currently the largest private owner of farmland in the U.S., purchased thousands of acres in the Suwannee River Basin of South Georgia and North Florida through a series of shell corporations.
It is also a story of pushing back against the machine and reclaiming not only only our food production, but restoring our unique environment. While advocating for regenerative farming, it asks the questions: does AI have a legitimate role in responsible land use? If so, how do we stay in control, and if not, how do we reclaim sovereignty over encroaching data centers and wealthy philanthropaths?
"Florida and the Machine" is a four-color risograph printed book, 27 pages long with hand stitched binding. Images of Patron Hallows of Florida are part of a series developed during a residency at The Studios of Key West.
Florida and the Machine is included in University of Miami Special Collections, Ringling College of Art and Design Special Collections, University of South Florida Special Collections, and several private collections.