In thinking about Christopher Columbus’s expedition to the New World it brought to mind the work of Floriane de Lassée. Columbus and his men embarked on their lengthy journey with minimal supplies, only carrying necessary provisions for survival and items for trade. Similarly, in Floriane’s series How Much Can You Carry? she travels the globe documenting the long lines of walkers carrying objects of necessity and survival.

Columbus’s favorite ship, the Niña, completed three voyages to the New World, and logged over 25,000 miles under his command. The Niña carried only essential items such as dried food, live animals, water, armaments, and roughly 25 men.

The Pinta, was a caravel like the Niña, a smaller ship carrying only goods for survival and approximately 20 men. She disappeared from history after the first voyage.

Columbus’s flagship, the Santa Maria, was his least favorite ship because of it’s enormous size and weight. This ship was equipped with 52 men, cannons and carried minimal food and water in order to make her cargo lighter.

Floriane de Lassée’s series How Much Can You Carry? spans over 4 continents, covering around 15 regions within 7 countries (Ethiopia, Rwanda, Nepal, India, Japan, Indonesia, Bolivia, Brazil), and more to come. Through these photographs Floriane asks the viewer to contemplate their own reality, and consider what they would carry to symbolize their lives.

CEG wishes everyone a happy Columbus Day!

Columbus facts were taken from www.christopher-columbus.eu.