Exhibition

Curatorial Statement

In a time marked by an escalating ecological crisis, the exhibition "Ecological Issues: Living Through Ecocide" emerges as a critical visual discourse examining the impact of human actions on our planet.

"Ecological Issues: Living Through Ecocide" is designed to inspire an active and reflective response to environmental preservation. The term "ecocide" was coined by Professor Arthur W. Galston at the Conference on War and National Responsibility in Washington DC, where he also proposed a new international agreement to ban ecocide. The neologism is constructed using the words ecosystem and genocide, in order to symbolize the systematic and massive destruction of ecosystems. This term is used in reference to deliberate acts of destruction in a natural environment, as well as all acts, which by their nature may provoke an environmental disaster.

The exhibition aims to encourage visitors to consider their personal roles and the collective impact of human behavior on the environment. This is a call to action, urging a shift from passive awareness to proactive engagement and positive change. "Ecological Issues: Living Through Ecocide" presents itself as a thought-provoking conversation about ecological preservation that explores the complex influences of human activity on Earth. 

This exhibition illuminates the ecological challenges society faces today: excessive consumerism, the devastation caused by military conflicts, and failing waste management. All of these factors increase the degree of severe pollution, acceleration of climate change, and eradication of biodiversity.

The exhibition will represent the works of such international artists:

Margot Anquez Bariseau, Célia Boulesteix, Tanguy Pitavy, Oleksii Furman,

Olga Karika, Dima Astafiev, and Emilio Chapela.

Each piece acts as a beacon for introspection, compelling viewers to face the harsh realities of environmental degradation to which we are all contributors. The artists, though varied in their techniques and perspectives, share a common commitment to using their art to question, critique, and offer insightful narratives that provoke a reevaluation of the normative behaviors that underpin our society.

In this exhibition, art becomes a persuasive force. It invites the audience to reflect on personal responsibilities and to imagine new possibilities for environmental stewardship. "Ecological Issues: Living Through Ecocide" not only aims to inform and disturb but also to inspire and mobilize collective action towards a more sustainable and respectful coexistence with our planet.

According to a recent study by the UN; today society is using the equivalent of 1.6 Earths to maintain our current way of life and ecosystems cannot keep up with our demands (Becoming Generation Restoration, UNEP). One million of the world's estimated 8 million species of plants and animals are threatened with extinction (IPBES).

75 percent of the Earth's land surface has been significantly altered by human actions, including 85 percent of wetland areas (IPBES). 66 percent of ocean area is impacted by human activities, including from fisheries and pollution (IPBES). Close to 90% of the world's marine fish stocks are fully exploited, overexploited, or depleted (UNCTAD). Our global food system is the primary driver of biodiversity loss with agriculture alone being the identified threat 24,000 of the 28,000 species at risk of extinction (Chatham House and UNEP).

Through the diverse expressions and mediums employed by these artists, the exhibition seeks to not only draw attention to but also deepen the understanding of ecological values. We intend to highlight the urgency of these issues—showcasing the impact of human activity on our environment through the lens of art. This collection of works serves as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard our planet.

Our team is committed to enhancing ecological values and awareness through this visual dialogue. As curators, we believe that by bringing together these distinct voices, we can create an impactful conversation around the urgent need for respectful and sustainable behavior toward our environment. We hope that this exhibition will catalyze reflection and action. Through the lens of art, we invite viewers to engage with the complexities of our ecological reality and inspire a collective commitment to the well-being of our planet.

Join us in this conversation, as we envision and work towards a future where harmony with nature is not just an ideal, but a lived reality.