Humane Ecology: Eight Positions

Humane Ecology: Eight Positions is a presentation of eight contemporary artists who explore the social and political implications of environmental questions through their work. The artists consider the relationship between organisms and their environment, exploring themes such as extraction, exploitation, kinship with the more-than-human world, and ancient traditions of land relations. The exhibition is distributed for the Clark Art Institute and will be on display from July 15 to October 29, 2023.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 25 July 2023
Publisher: Yale University Press

Humane Ecology: Eight Positions presents a captivating exploration of the relationship between the natural and social realms, delving into the profound implications of environmental concerns on a global scale. This thought-provoking exhibition features a diverse group of eight contemporary artists who have dedicated their artistic practices to addressing the intricate connections between the environment and society. Through their diverse mediums, including sculpture, video, sound installation, and plantings, these artists challenge conventional notions of environmentalism and offer fresh perspectives on the complex interplay between human beings and their surroundings.

Eddie Rodolfo Aparicio, Korakrit Arunanondchai, Carolina Caycedo, Allison Janae Hamilton, Juan Antonio Olivares, Christine Howard Sandoval, Pallavi Sen, and Kandis Williams are the eight artists whose work is featured in Humane Ecology: Eight Positions. These artists employ a range of artistic mediums, including sculpture, video, sound installation, and plantings, to explore the multifaceted dimensions of environmental issues. Their artistic approach is rooted in the concept of ecology, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of organisms and their environment.

Through their work, these artists address themes such as the extraction and exploitation of both places and people, the complex relationships between humans and the more-than-human world, and the urgent need to preserve ancient traditions of land stewardship. By centering different human experiences and perspectives, often overlooked in mainstream environmental discourses, these artists challenge the notion of humans as separate from nature and promote a more holistic understanding of our relationship with the environment.

The publication accompanying the exhibition includes comprehensive entries on each artist, providing insight into their artistic practices and the themes they explore. Additionally, scholarly essays on the exhibition concept, genealogies of land art, and settler colonial histories of the Berkshires further enrich the viewer's understanding of the exhibition's context and significance.

Humane Ecology: Eight Positions is a thought-provoking exhibition that encourages viewers to contemplate the complex interplay between the natural and social realms and the urgent need for sustainable practices and a deeper appreciation of our environment. The exhibition is scheduled to be held at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA, from July 15 to October 29, 2023.

Weight: 464g
Dimension: 181 x 264 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300273434