The Anthropocene is an unofficial geological timescale term used to describe the most recent historical period when human activity started to have a significant and irreversible effect on the planet’s climate and ecosystems. Changes in the planet’s weather system are said to be caused by increased use of fossil fuels which increases with the exponential growth in the human population.
The Mapping the Anthropocene in Ōtepoti /Dunedin project, held in September 2020, brought together mana whenua, artists, designers and architects, scientists and speakers from the environmental humanities to present a picture of where we are as we learn to live with and act in the changing environment. The hui was nested within an exhibition at the Dunedin School of Art, Te Maru Pūmanawa, College of Creative Practice and Enterprise. Speakers ranged from Ēmilie Crossley who discussed ecological mourning to Bryce Pebbles who presented the multi-year Art + Science collaboration between scientists and artists in Ōtepoti.
The Complete Entanglement of Everything exhibition worked on the idea that art can bring us closer to important issues by contextualising thoughts, ideas, creativity into one place where we can imagine different futures. Human entanglements are wound together within and around artworks leaving space for thoughts, experiences and emotions of the so-called Anthropocene. Viewers have time and space to reflect on shared concerns and these thoughts and conversations hopefully continue long after the exhibition.
For more information contact Bridie Lonie
Symposium Programme & Abstracts Booklet
