Newtown Creek carries in its waters a fascinating four hundred year old history that encompasses Native American tribes, the first Dutch and English settlers, the beginning of Brooklyn's agriculture and commerce, and the industrial boom of the past century along with the environmental disaster it has brought. The current hazardous state of the canal and the surrounding landscapes create a vivid portrait of the scale and impact that pollution and lack of government regulation has brought to the environment of this area.

In these photographs, I envision Newtown Creek, along with the surrounding neighborhoods, as a place where industry and people can co-exist and cooperatively create a healthy and creative environment. Though neglected for many decades, the recent history of the canal is more hopeful – the disastrous state of water contamination has been brought to light by recent TV documentaries, as well as by local groups that have been fighting to save it. Moreover, there have been efforts to educate the residents about the canal – more recently with the development of the Newtown Creek Nature walk.

As I imagine the future of this site, I see no dissonance between the nature and the industry here. When the canal is cleaned up, and the freshwater begins flowing again, it will become a place where quiet walks and boat rides co-exist with green and environmentally safe factories.

- Marina Zamalin