As it was Give(n) to Me is an archive of collected images, text, drawings and objects that traces coal exploration and extraction in central Appalachia. These documents reflect on our relationship to representations of reality and the inherent flaws and ruptures in constructed notions of truth.

The project deals with the consequences of industrial decline and the failure of the War on Poverty initiatives that were initiated by president JFK and LBJ in the 1960s. It has been 50 years since the announcement of this initiative and billions of dollars later America is still unable to solve the problem of poverty in what was once considered the land of dreams and endless opportunity to better oneself.

Stacy Kranitz’s work explores history, representation and otherness within the documentary tradition. She uses film, photography and installation to consider social constructs while commenting on this tradition and challenging its boundaries.