New Arrivals 2019 from September 11th to October 20th, 2019 at The Stamp Gallery | University of Maryland, College Park | Written by Gabrielle O’Brien
Art has always been a reflection of the times we live in. The current Anthropogenic period is no exception. Driven primarily by human influence, the Anthropocene is a period that has seen significant environmental destruction and increasing climate change. As a result, the volume of artwork addressing the negative influence of humans on nature has grown in recent years. This is seen in the emergence of climate change art, a field of art inspired by climate change and global warming. The purpose of this field is to provide amore accessible and personalized method of engaging with data related to climate change than is traditionally allowed through research articles or scientific presentations. This movement, and others like it, are critical to engaging the public in thoughtful, meaningful discourse about the environmental crisis we currently face. It
also acts as a bridge to connect the scientific world with a broader audience.
New Arrivals 2019 contains multiple pieces that explore the relationship between mankind and nature in the context of climate change. Steel Face Concrete Bend by Letha Wilson features a natural scene overlain with strips of steel and layers of concrete. The steel and concrete appear to slash through the vegetation, evoking a sense of destruction and industrialization. This suggests the dominant manner in which mankind has manipulated nature for our own purposes. Pulling Back the Lace by Rachel Schmidt displays projected footage shot on the Isle of Skye on an image of lace being pulled back. The video presents “glitches” where evidence of humanity is seen in the natural scenery. The piece highlights the far-reaching, negative impact of civilization and emphasizes that no place, even a remote island, is immune to the influence of mankind.
The exhibition features two pieces by Noel Kassewitz, I Wish to Communicate With You and Rococo Remastered: Sunset on the Empire, that both address rising sea levels, a consequence of global warming. I Wish to Communicate With You combines found flotation devices with woven paintings with an accompanying print of the piece floating off the coast of New York City. This not only rouses a sense of urgency, conveying to the viewer the nearness of global warming to our everyday life, but also uses humor to connect to the viewer, as the purpose of the flotation devices is to ensure the piece will survive in the face of rising sea levels. Rococo Remastered: Sunset on the Empire is a sculptural painting made of marine foam and sailcloth that Kassewitz used to float down the Potomac River. The piece also utilizes humor to comment on the environmental crisis, as it is floatation-ready and would also survive throughout rising sea levels.
It is clear that climate change is not going to disappear. In fact, if trends continue, it will
accelerate and its consequences will worsen in severity within our lifetime. However, art serves as a beacon of hope in that it is an avenue to encourage honest, productive conversations about the crisis we currently face.
Letha Wilson’s, Rachel Schmidt’s, and Noel Kassewitz’s work is included in New Arrivals 2019 at The Stamp Gallery of the University of Maryland, College Park, from September 11th to October 20th, 2019.