Art
Eco Exhibitions Won’t Save Us
Artists and institutions seem content to merely ‘address’, ‘engage with’ or ‘respond to’ the climate crisis. It’s time for a concerted shift towards action
Exhibitions of art about ecology have been sprouting up everywhere, usually operating under some premise of ‘raising awareness’ for the climate crisis. The Hayward Gallery – with their ongoing exhibition, Dear Earth: Art and Hope in a Time of Crisis – is just one recent example of many institutions, in London alone, that have rushed to stage ecocritical shows over the last few years: the Serpentine has an ongoing programme called General Ecology via which they stage related exhibitions like Back to Earth (2022); the Barbican Art Gallery’s Our Time on Earth (2022); various exhibitions at Tate, among them A Clearing in the Forest (2022); The Photographers’ Gallery’s When I image the earth, I imagine another (2021); Somerset House’s We Are History (2021); or the Royal Academy’s Eco-Visionaries (2019). Countless others have been staged around the world: a random sampling might include Simbiología: Prácticas Artísticas en un Planeta en Emergencia (Centro Cultural Kirchner, Buenos Aires, 2021); Adaptation: A Reconnected Earth (MCAD Manila, 2023); and Our Ecology (Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, autumn 2023). And that really is to name just a few. While these exhibitions do doubtlessly have the potential to inform ideological narratives surrounding the ecological crisis, they can so often feel futile in the face of real environmental devastation.
Read more: https://artreview.com/ecocritical-art-hayward-dear-earth-climate-crisis-exhibition/
Recently, a vibrant array of potted flowers in various shapes and colors greeted visitors at the Chongqing Zoo, capturing the attention of everyone entering the zoo.
“I’ve been looking forward to this exhibition for a long time,” said Ms. Li, a local resident. “I heard there would be many exquisite floral arrangements and potted plants, so I rushed to bring my family here as soon as it opened. It’s a wonderful way to kick off the New Year and soak in some artistic atmosphere!”
Read more: https://www.cqnews.net/1/detail/1324322687267987456/app/content_1324322687267987456.html
Gabriel Martinez talks with Robert Boyd about Charles Burns, Gary Panter, and the art of underground comics.
“The publishing industry doesn’t work the way the art industry does. You have a royalty system. Whereas if you resell a painting, unless you’re in California, the artist doesn’t get anything.”
To play the podcast, click on the orange play button below. You can also find Glasstire on Apple Podcasts and on Spotify.
Read more: https://glasstire.com/2024/09/22/art-dirt-robert-boyd-on-the-art-of-underground-comics/
The Literature and Language Reading Room is what I would consider a semi-hidden gem amidst the physical spaces that make up UIUC’s massive and impressive library. Lined with massive windows and perimeter bookshelves, it’s difficult to physically miss. However, to gain the full aesthetic experience, one needs to linger. Understandably, this is a difficult task for a busy student. Trust me…I know. However, if you feel the time has finally come to check it out, I highly encourage you to drop in while the newest exhibit, Image + Verse: Poetry Inspired by Art, is still on display.
As both an art and poetry enthusiast, it felt like a dream come true to hear about the library’s collection being highlighted in this way. Two glass cases greeted me at the entrance, and I immediately spotted a few of my favorite collections bookmarked and propped open. Reading the familiar words in tandem with the art displays warmed my heart. The affection of the curator for art and poetry also seemed to be on full display. I couldn’t help but wonder more about their ideas and inspirations.
Read more: https://www.smilepolitely.com/arts/the-art-of-poetry-on-display-at-the-university-of-illinois/
