Art for the Anthropocene

Abstract

This thesis argues that the turn away from postmodern irony in contemporary art is symptomatic of the age of the Anthropocene. In a time of financial crises, political instabilities and especially climate change it is impossible to keep a cynical distance. The thesis is an exploration of the ways in which art can help us reflect on the realization that humans have become a geophysical force on earth, by reflecting on and combining theories of authors such as Naomi Klein, Roy Scranton, Lieven de Cauter, Timotheus Vermeulen, Robin van den Akker and Timothy Morton. Humans created global warming and trying to stop it or even to slow it down is not a matter of changing policies, but a matter of changing our way of live. The role of art in this journey can be diverse: from the creation of relevant documents to a more contemplative role. The examples that are discussed of Pierre Huyghe’s film Human Mask and the contributions to Noorderlicht’s exhibition Arena serve both of these roles and more.