Pieter Hugo, Untitled Agbogbloshie Market, Accra, Ghana

"Permanent Error" is a photography project that documents the electronic waste dump in Agbogbloshie, a suburb of Accra, Ghana. The series was created in 2009 and gained significant attention for its powerful portrayal of the environmental and social issues surrounding electronic waste and its impact on the local community.
In Agbogbloshie, thousands of tons of electronic waste, including discarded computers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices from around the world, are dumped and burned in open-air environments. The burning of this waste releases toxic fumes and pollutants, causing severe health hazards for the people living and working in the area.
Through "Permanent Error," Pieter Hugo captures haunting images of the workers, many of them children, as they navigate through the hazardous waste, dismantling electronic devices to salvage valuable metals. The photographs highlight the harsh living conditions and the environmental consequences of the global electronic waste problem.
The series "Permanent Error" raises awareness about the darker side of the digital age, prompting viewers to confront the impact of consumer culture on the environment and vulnerable communities.