Environment: Art Meets the Climate Crisis

Institution: University of the Arts, Philadelphia

Instructor: Cynthia H. Veloric, PhD

Description: A global climate crisis is here and none of us is immune. This course will explore the many causes and effects of the crisis through the lens of art in different media. We will discover the possibilities and limitations of photography, installation, film, prints, painting, and performance in creating awareness and changing perceptions about the human role in environmental disruption. Specific aspects of the crisis to be discussed include fossil fuel and mineral extraction, deforestation, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, air pollution, and non-biodegradable waste. Though artists all over the world are addressing this crisis, we will need to limit our focus to artists from the Americas, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. Students are welcome to introduce eco artists from other regions, especially when accompanied by images and talking points.

Level: Undergraduate

Timing: Fall and Spring every year since 2022

Country: United States