Artists explore climate change in Carnegie Museum of Art show
The title of “Counterpressures,” the 83rd installment of Carnegie Museum of Art’s Forum series, is taken from a quotation in Pittsburgh environmentalist Rachel Carson’s 1962 book “Silent Spring,” on the environmental effects of pesticides.
An exhibition of new and existing works that explore climate change will open with a free reception from 7-8 p.m. Feb. 20 in the museum at 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland. It will run through July 12.
The reception will feature a gallery talk, spoken-word performance by artist Tara Fay and a cash bar.
The Forum series “highlights living early- and mid-career artists, usually in a solo exhibition,” says Hannah Turpin, CMOA curatorial assistant for Modern and Contemporary Art and Photography. “This exhibition is unique because it’s a thematic show featuring work by 10 Pittsburgh-area artists who are all focusing on how the environment impacts them every day. Due to the group nature of this show, our audiences will get to experience a variety of styles, materials and topics.”
The artists explore “the transitory state of the environment; the ecological, economic and public health consequences on the horizon; and how these conditions intersect with their own lived experiences, (grappling) with the ecological present and its uncertain future,” according to the museum website.
“Altogether, it’s a dynamic mix of media, from photography to sculpture to spoken word performance, and each artist’s voice contributes something personal and intimate to this complex issue that can often feel distant,” Turpin says.
“Carnegie Museum of Art is considering what it means to be a responsive museum through all of our artistic programs this year, and ‘Counterpressures’ examines one of the most important issues we face as a culture today. We all experience the impact of environmental change through our drinking water, the air we breathe, and the food we eat,” she says. “The artworks in this exhibition provide our audience with the chance to enter into this conversation. Art has such a power to draw people in, regardless of their ideology or personal experiences.
“It can be a phenomenal catalyst for engaging with each other and considering how we fit into the bigger picture.”
Details: cmoa.org
Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley by email at smcmarlin@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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