This course will explore the science and theory behind human- induced change to the global environment, ramifications of anthropogenic change, and how integrating contemporary art practice with science may be useful in developing solutions to these issues. The course will be grounded in landscape ecology and will incorporate tools (e.g. GIS, modeling) from this field to explore two major issues of anthropogenic change. The first half of the course will explore the issue of global climate change and the second half will address global loss of biodiversity. Climate change impacts on landscapes, loss of biodiversity, and associated loss of cultural services have been captured in contemporary and historical art pieces. We will explore the relationships between science and art, how art represents public perception of these environmental issues, and how art can be used to achieve the social change needed for successful solutions to these issues. A major focus of the course will be on the visualization of information from the perspectives of ecology and contemporary art.

“Are we next?” Climate Change Die-In at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, Scotland.