Art and Nature in the Anthropocene: Planetary Aesthetics

The book explores how contemporary artists have engaged with histories of nature, geology, and extinction within the context of the changing planet, challenging traditional categories and revealing a new vision of life in the Anthropocene.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the profound ways in which contemporary artists have intertwined their creative expressions with the rich tapestry of histories encompassing nature, geology, and extinction within the ever-evolving backdrop of our planet. Author Susan Ballard takes readers on a thought-provoking journey, unveiling how artists challenge the conventional boundaries of animal, mineral, and vegetable, paving the way for a novel multispecies order of relations that offers a fresh perspective on our existence within the Anthropocene era.

Through a comprehensive examination of the works of a diverse array of artists, including the legendary Francisco de Goya, the visionary J. M. W. Turner, the pioneering Robert Smithson, the visionary Nancy Holt, the innovative Yhonnie Scarce, the captivating Joyce Campbell, the talented Lisa Reihana, the visionary Katie Paterson, the thought-provoking Taryn Simon, the insightful Susan Norrie, the visionary Moon Kyungwon, and the talented Jeon Joonho, the book unveils the emergence of a planetary aesthetics that boldly challenges the fixed notions of nature that have prevailed in the Anthropocene.

With a special emphasis on artists hailing from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, this book offers a captivating glimpse into the evolving landscape of artistic expression, shedding light on the emergence of a global aesthetics that transcends geographical boundaries. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike, spanning the fields of art history, visual culture, narrative nonfiction, digital and media art, and the environmental humanities. By exploring the intricate connections between art, nature, and the human experience, this book provides a profound testament to the power of creativity in shaping our understanding of the world we inhabit.

Weight: 436g
Dimension: 172 x 245 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367710941