c/o Hannah Docter-Loeb, Executive Editor
Diane BurkoSince her childhood, she has been an artist in landscape painting. She began to consider the effects of climate change upon her surroundings and decided to shift her artistic focus to the environment.
Burko explained that it was then I realized that climate change was real. Why is it that I am creating beautiful landscapes, but not addressing this issue directly? I started that way, and I’m still going.
Burko describes her practice in this way: art, science, and the environment.
[Scientists are]Burko explained that they will give me their knowledge and information and I will translate it into another language for them. That’s important because the public needs to understand what they’re doing.
Burkos’ work also includes a significant component in public engagement. Burkos believes art is a bridge between science and the general public.
Burko stated that I make art that has more meaning than being beautiful. Although aesthetics are important to my beliefs, I try to balance them with communicating issues that I believe are important to all of us.
The public will be able to see her work at Visualizing Environmental Change. This exhibit will be on the premises of the Museum.Cecile Zilkha Gallery – Ezra and Cecile Zilkha until Thursday, March 3. Burko will also visit campus on Tuesday, March 1, to March 3, and will give a public talk on her work in Zilkha 202, 12:20 PM.
The exhibit It includes paintings, videos, eight, and eight. lenticulars:Holographic-like circles that change depending on how you look at them.
The exhibition features a selection Dianes artwork that showcases her practice (from video installation, painting, and lenticulars), Exhibitions Manager at the Center for the ArtsRosemary Lennox wrote in an email to The Argus. They cover topics like melting glaciers, coral reef destruction, and extreme wildfires. Together, they evoke a unique feeling from viewers about the gravity of the situation worldwide and encourage more critical thinking about how the planet is being treated.
c/o Hannah Docter-Loeb, Executive Editor
The Visualizing Environmental Change presentation is by the College of the Environment, as part of their 202122 theme Think Tank Visualizing Environmental Change, and is sponsored by the Department of Art and Art History and Samuel Silipo85 Distinguished Visitors Fund; Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences; and Science in Society Program.
The College of the Environments Think Tank brings together students, faculty, and prominent scholars to discuss a specific environmental topic each year. This year’s Think Tank Fellows are Suzanne OConnell, Assistant Professor Economics Jennifer Raynor, Harold T. Stearns Professor Earth Science Suzanne OConnellCourtney Fullilove, Associate Professor of Historical Studies, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Helen Poulos. University Professor in the College of the Environment Antonio Machado Allison and Menakka. 66 DistinguishedVisiting Scholar in the College of the Environment Alton Bers, Olivia Baglieri 22, Skye Hawthorne 22., Lilley Gallagher 22., Mackenzie Sheehan 22, The group meets weekly with outside speakers to discuss the theme Visualizing Environmental Change.
OConnell stated that the goal is to find ways to communicate the changes occurring to the environment as the climate heats and climate chaos is occurring. Visual communication is one way to communicate these changes.
The group of fellows has a deep understanding of environmental issues and is looking for ways to make this information easier to access.
Baglieri stated that advocates for the environment can give people something to see that they can understand. This is the theme of the semester: How can data be presented to people in a way that they understand and can visualize?
Judd stated that many members of the Think Tank are excited that Burkos’s work has a clear connection with that theme and that it is the first artist they have ever had.
Many of the people we have brought in feel that they are under. [the theme]Judd said that it is difficult to visualize environmental change, especially for those who produce scholarly works. But, I believe that art is something so important that it’s going to be huge for us to see the new perspective we havent yet gotten in the Think Tank.
Judd also highlighted the power of art to communicate difficult topics, such as climate changes.
Arts are a way to express yourself. Even if one doesn’t fully understand the implications of environmental change from a scientific standpoint, the gravity and urgency of the situation can be expressed through art. It can be understood by many people from different backgrounds. To understand it, you don’t have to be an expert on a particular field such as geology or glaciology. It doesn’t matter what profession you are in, as long as you are interested in art and can understand what is happening. It can really touch home for anyone.
Lennox hopes Burkos’ work will resonate with students, motivating them to take action.
Lennox said that the ideal outcome will be not only a recognition of the global effects of global warming but also a spurring of individual efforts for a significant shift in the earth’s current trajectory. There is also an opportunity to look at the ways artists use their art to raise awareness and interrogate issues of socio-political concern.
OConnell shared similar feelings, emphasizing Burkos work’s emotional impact.
OConnell stated that she hopes they will feel the effects of climate change. I hope that they will feel a visceral sense of the climate change and be inspired to think about ways they can reduce greenhouse gases both personally as well as politically.
BurkoShe looks forward to having direct contact with students when she visits campus in March. She hopes she can inspire them beyond the doom of climate change.
Burko said that I think it’s great that the College of the Environment professors saw the connection and wanted the art to be shared with students. Its understandable. I want to give people hope. I want to encourage them to become active in politics, to demonstrate. I want to emphasize the fact that the arts can have a profound impact on your entire life.
Hannah Docter Loeb can be reached by email at [email protected].