A REVIEW OF "THE ANTHROPOCENE PROJECT"

TREACHERY IN IMAGES

Authors

  • Shannon Stevens University of Victoria
  • Richard Wainwright University of Victoria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18432/ari29496

Keywords:

the Anthropocene Project, Posthuman, treachory of images, thanatourism

Abstract

Here, we engage The Anthropocene Project: a 2019 art event that features photographic exhibits in art galleries and museums, both across Canada and internationally. The project also includes a feature length film, augmented reality, and a proposed curriculum. The Anthropocene Project thematically addresses one of the most pressing, yet controversial, matters of our age: the deleterious effects of human activity on the earth. As a proposed geopolitical epoch, the Anthropocene marks this specific time in history whereby human activity has more significant environmental impact than all other factors combined. The photography that depicts scenes of ecological cost and environmental devastation are deceptively, seductively appealing. We resist the lulling effect of the Anthropocene Project’s visually stunning images that engender a sense of awe at these demonstrations of human engineering achievements on such a large scale. We are left wondering at our species’ prospects of survival when we can become entranced by images portraying events so counterintuitive to our survival as omnivores, as mammals, as oxygen dependent creatures.

Author Biographies

Shannon Stevens, University of Victoria

Shannon Stevens is pursuing her doctoral studies in the Faculty of Education at University of Victoria, and teaches elementary school Core French in Sidney, BC.

Richard Wainwright, University of Victoria

Richard Wainwright is pursuing his doctoral studies in the Faculty of Education at University of Victoria.

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Published

2020-10-01

How to Cite

Stevens, S., & Wainwright, R. (2020). A REVIEW OF "THE ANTHROPOCENE PROJECT": TREACHERY IN IMAGES. Art/Research/International:/A/Transdisciplinary/Journal, 5(2), 567–584. https://doi.org/10.18432/ari29496