Eco-Visionaries ★★★★ Royal Academy of Arts | Until February 23, 2020


Eco-Visionaries presents the work of twenty-one artists looking at humankind's impact on the environment. The recognition that humankind is both part of and responsible to a vast ecological system is a relatively new idea, but it has been taking on increasing importance as scientists and artists try to bring the message of a fragile planet to the public. Climate change, food shortage, resource depletion and species extinction (including humans) are presented as a real and dire combination of circumstances. Nerea Calvillo's film, Madrid In The Air (2019) looks at the effects of pollution while Tue Greenfort's Tilapia (2017) questions what we have done to the balance of nature in our pursuit of foodstuffs. The Breast Milk of the Volcano (2017) looks at our consumption of lithium and Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg's work The Substitute (2019) makes us ponder the fate of the last male northern white rhinoceros. Unlike many environmental shows, this exhibition also seeks to present some more positive imaginings of a future reconnecting with nature. These positive notes should hopefully also serve as a call to action. There is a wide range of media employed and the works vary in quality but the message is constant and compelling. For us the highlight was the immersive installation, win><win (2017) by Rimini Protokoll. This work put into perspective the whole show as well as the place of humankind in the evolution of the planet. If there is queue, take the time and wait to experience it!

 Reviewed by J.C.
Image: The Substitute (video still) by Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg, 2019.
 Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆ 

 WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until February 23, 2020
Daily: 10 am - 6 pm (Fri until 10 pm & Sat until 8 pm, except Nov 23)
Royal Academy of Arts (The Gabrielle Jungels-Winkler Galleries)
Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus
https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/architecture-environment-eco-visionaries
Map & Location: Burlington House, Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 0BD, UK

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