Four Seasons at Great Notch, Clifton NJ

"Four Seasons at Great Notch" (February 2023)

Special Thanks: K. Hovnanian

Description: A 98 acre former quarry transformed with 30 foot keystone block retaining walls and 810 nearly identical townhomes.

Artist Statement

"Four Seasons at Great Notch" is a photographic exploration of the profound environmental impacts caused by the transformative development of a 98 acre former quarry into 810 nearly identical townhomes for senior housing, spearheaded by developer K. Hovnanian. The resulting construction features massive 30 foot keystone block retaining walls along New Jersey Route 46, disrupting the natural landscape and altering the ecosystem.

As an artist, my responsibility to document the Anthropocene and the sixth mass extinction has never been more urgent. Despite being situated in the heart of suburban New Jersey, near some of the wealthiest zip codes in the world, this development showcases the pervasive influence of human activity on our planet. The destruction of natural habitats, depletion of resources and pollution of the environment are issues that are often overlooked in the rush towards progress and development.

Through my lens, I have captured the loss of the breathtaking views and vistas that once existed in the neighboring towns, now marred by the looming presence of the construction. The impact of this development reaches far beyond just the immediate area, affecting the wider ecosystem and threatening the delicate balance of nature.

As an artist, it is my duty to bear witness to these changes and use my art as a tool to raise awareness of the environmental destruction wrought by our modern world. "Four Seasons at Great Notch" serves as a visual reminder of the critical need for sustainable development and responsible practices to ensure the preservation of our planet for future generations.