films
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005) directed by Alex Gibney
A deep, historical exploration of one corporate culture and the individuals and motivations that (silently) control infrastructure today.
Our Daily Bread/Unser Täglich Brot (2005) directed by Nikolaus Geyrhalter
This is, hands down, my favorite film. Ever. A meditation on what goes on behind the scenes in industrial food production.
Manufactured Landscapes (2006) directed by Jennifer Baichwal
The film almost reads like an advertisement for TED, but even so, it’s an excellent introduction to the work of Ed Burtynsky and his work documenting our built landscapes.
Sonic Outlaws (1995) directed by Craig Baldwin
A documentary about Negativland, a group that was probably one of the first to build an art practice closely related to infrastructure (besides maybe Mierle Ukeles). They used scanner, cellphone and satellite-acquired material in many of their works as détournement.
books
Emergency Response Guidebook, 2004
A guidebook for emergency responders, describing transportation placards and their meanings. Published by the US Department of Transportation.
Infrastructure: A Field Guide to the Industrial Landscape Brian Hayes
An excellent primer on the built urban environment. Has many full-color pictures. A fifteen year project by the author, and highly recommended.
Normal Accidents: Living with High-Risk Technologies Charles Perrow
Probably not the best book out there on the human aspects of failure, but still a classic.
Weird Like Us: My Bohemian America Ann Powers
An autobiography of a woman who leaves her suburban Seattle home to join the punk/underground “family” of the 80’s and early 90’s. Full of references to interesting works.