The Global Media Research Center and the Department of Cinema and Photography sponsored a presentation by photographer Steven Benson on Friday, March 30th, 2007.

Photographer Steven Bensonís lecture will present an interdisciplinary perspective of his much-acclaimed photo essay ìThe Cost of Power in China: The Three Gorges Dam and the Yangtze River Valleyî. The photo essay documents the Yangtze River valley, which is now under the water of the 400-mile-long reservoir behind Chinaís massive Three Gorges dam. The photographs, made in 1999, quickly became historic images on June 10, 2003 when the reservoir filled to a depth of 425 feet. At 1.3 miles long and 610 feet height, this dam, the largest concrete object on Earth, will ultimately force two million people form their ancestral homes while demolishing 13 cities, 140 towns and 1,352 villages.

A book signing will follow the presentation. Selections from the photo essay are currently on display in Gallery 1101, located in the Department of Cinema and Photography, Communications 1101. Mr. Benson is willing to meet with faculty and students during the day of the 30th. If you would like to schedule a meeting, please contact Laura Germann at the GMRC. To view his work, please visit www.stevenbensonphoto.com.

Steven Benson received his Masters Degree in photography from Cranbrook Academy of Art. He has received three Creative Artist Grants from the Michigan Council for the Arts and a NEA/ArtsMidwest Fellowship. His photographs are represented in numerous permanent collections, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, Museum of Fine Art-Houston and Centre Georges Pompidou.

For more information, please contact Laura Germann at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 618-453-6876.