Artist Josephine Meckseper Questions Modern Consumption With Two Massive Oil Pumps in Midtown Manhattan

If you pass through Midtown in the next couple of months, you may notice something that seems a bit out of place: a pair of 25-foot tall oil pumps. The new industrial structures are part of artist <a href="http://artproductionfund.org/meckseper.html">Josephine Meckseper</a>'s installation called the "Manhattan Oil Project," which consists of two monumental, kinectic sculptures that strike conversation about American business, wealth, and consumerism. The project is supported by <a href="http://www.shubertorganization.com/">The Shubert Organization</a>, The Last Lot and is presented by <a href="http://artproductionfund.org/">Art Production Fund</a>.

As an artist known for critiquing consumerism, Meckseper couldn't have chosen a more perfect location for her first public installation.

"There's no clearer picture of the excess of our consumer culture than Times Square, and how it's being used to distract people from real issues," Meckseper told The Daily Beast.

Fracking is a highly debated issues as the US turns to domestic sources for oil.

In a weak economy, many in rural areas are tempted to lease their land for the immediate financial benefits offered by such deals.

Meckseper turns the tables by placing her scale models of oil pumps right in the center of Manhattan.

The 25-foot tall sculptures stand in an open lot surrounded by a parking lot with over five stories of cars piled high, a billboard sized ad for "Jesus Christ Superstar" and office buildings- all the consumption patterns in modern society that shed light on why we are so dependent on oil.