11/5 Unsettled Nature: Art and Science as Argument

Our last museum seminar found us engaged with the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) as Joanna Mars, Head of Interpretation and Audience Research and Deputy Education Chair, and Teacher Programs Coordinator Elizabeth Dale-Deines led us through thoughtful examination as to how artworks might inspire climate change. Based on the exhibit, “Unsettled Nature: Artists Reflect on the Age of Humans“,  Fellows were invited to examine how art can help us consider the impact of human choices on our earth, and the role of hope in the face of an uncertain future. This exhibit was scheduled to open at the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) on March 18, coincident with the museum’s closing due to the pandemic. The exhibit will feature the work of seven contemporary artists, all of whom seek to engage the visitor to answer the question,” what is “natural” in a world where the human footprint is everywhere?”

There were two main goals for the afternoon: 1) that participants would be more aware of human impact on the planet and the value of art to provide emotive or material experience of abstract or data-driven ideas; and 2) participants would  consider the value of finding beauty in terror or tragedy as a call to action for themselves, their classrooms, and the world. Using a variety of works of art, Project Zero thinking routines, and small group work, Fellows were able to grapple with questions such as how beauty and truth are shown in art, if one conceals or reveals the other and how this kind of exercise can be used to help students gain deeper understanding of the impact humans have on our changing climate. Fellows were quick to see ways in which all of this could be adapted to their own disciplines, and the sense of optimism on which the afternoon ended was a fitting conclusion to our 2020 museum seminars.