The Animal Factory: Faber art notebooks, no.1

Art faber encompasses works of art with themes related to work, business, and economics. It originated from the Latin word for "smith" and represents the maker, manufacturer, and producer of machines and consumer products. The Cahiers de l'Art faber explores the field of photography through the "Bestiaux" portrait series by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, examining the relationship between breeders and livestock and the economic implications of animal production. The issue also includes articles on domestication, animal production history, and animal rights, along with a survey on the contemporary relationship between humans and animals.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 14 December 2023
Publisher: Actes Sud

Art faber encompasses a wide range of artistic creations, including paintings, literature, photography, music, and cinema, that revolve around themes related to work, business, and economics. The term "faber" has its origins in the foundations of economics itself. It is derived from the Latin word for "smith," which signifies the craftsmanship and manufacturing associated with creating tools, machines, and consumer products. Homo faber, or "man the maker," represents the versatile individual who is responsible for toolmaking, machine production, the development of secondary industries, as well as the tertiary and service sectors. Homo faber is not only a creator of machines and consumer goods but also a producer of life, particularly in the realms of cultivation and animal husbandry. He plays the roles of farmer, breeder, tamer, transformer, and adaptor, harnessing the strength of animals for work, producing goods like milk and meat, and processing wool and hide for artisanal purposes.

Over the past few decades, the manufacture of life forms has sparked significant ethical and moral debates. These discussions revolve around issues such as animal welfare, food strategies, sustainable development, ecology, disaster management, and the impact of intensive breeding on the environment and consumers. This first issue of the Cahiers de l'Art faber takes a closer look at the field of photography through the "Bestiaux" portrait series, initiated by artist Yann Arthus-Bertrand thirty years ago. In this series, Arthus-Bertrand explores the privileged relationship between breeders and livestock, inviting viewers to contemplate the economic purpose.

The issue also includes an unpublished interview with the photographer conducted by Catherine Briat, along with articles from historian Éric Baratay on domestication and the economics of animal production. Through these diverse perspectives, the Cahiers de l'Art faber seeks to shed light on the complex interplay between art, economics, and the human-animal relationship, raising important questions about our societal responsibilities and the ethical implications of our actions towards the natural world.

Weight: 680g
Dimension: 315 x 215 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9782330166090