OAKLAND — Piedmont resident Thomas Broening is chronicling California’s ugly side of life — homeless encampments, wildfires, drought — on billboards he’s commissioned through Oakland and beyond.
He’s calling the project “The End of the Dream” and has a website at theendofthedream.com with many of the shocking images he’s depicted.
“I’ve lived in California for 30 years. We’re in real trouble. Look at the problem, look at the billboards. The billboards do the talking. Our house is on fire, and we’re pretending that if we barricade ourselves in a room, bar the windows and doors and tape up the windows, the problems will disappear,” he said.
“But before we even start talking about any potential solutions we have to acknowledge that the problems exist. The billboards have no text and no call to action. My goal with ‘The End of the Dream’ is to simply say ‘let’s stop looking away.’ ”
In June, Broening mounted six billboards with his graphic images in Oroville. He put up eight in Oakland in June and July. Later this summer, he plans to expand to Southern California.
“We breathe the same air, drink the same water and stand on the same ground, so I want the work seen in a variety of places,” Broening said.
For the last 18 months, Broening has driven tens of thousands of miles all over California photographing empty river beds and reservoirs; the aftermath of wildfires that have covered millions of acres; and homeless encampments large and small. He has used his own money to finance and mount the billboards, which he says is expensive at thousands of dollars per billboard. He’s hoping for some sponsors or contributions to continue his work through his site — theendofthedream.com/donate.
Broening started his project by photographing Oakland’s Wood Street encampment under Interstate 580.
“After taking pictures for a few months, I wanted to put the encampments into a larger context. I began to explore the other crises threatening California’s survival: wildfire, drought and housing,” he said.
Broening’s “in your face” project has garnered attention from around the world. He has been featured on most Bay Area news outlets and says the reaction to the project “has been overwhelming.”
The nine-year Piedmont resident, who has been a professional photographer since age 16, says he wants the billboards to start conversations and perhaps spur some action.
“We’ve all played a part in getting us to this point,” he said. “I’m not interested in shaming anyone or advocating for a particular policy change. I just want people to stop ignoring the obvious.”
Linda Davis is a longtime Piedmont correspondent. Contact her with news tips or comments at dlinda249@gmail.com.
Source: www.mercurynews.com