Human/Nature

The intriguing idea of Human/Nature is open to a number of interpretations. It includes the notion of a dichotomy between civilisation and the natural world and holds out the possibility of overcoming it. It also involves the tricky concept of 'human nature' that has divided philosophers for centuries be advocates of a harsh 'law of the jungle' and believers in the intrinsic goodness of the 'noble savage'. The debate between proponents of optimistic and pessimistic views of basic human character is further complicated by the post-modernist's belief that human nature is a self-referential linguistic construct and only meaningful within a specific cultural context. Nevertheless, we still feel a desire to delve the mysteries of human nature, and in this situation, art can take a role in divining and expressing the global unconscious. Together with other Central European countries Croatia faces the challenge of how to protect the natural environment and preserve local cultural diversity. The works shown carry a distinctive sense of local belonging that can sometimes be found in specific geographical settings or at the level of collective experience in a contemporary Croatian context. The unmistakeable presence of a spiritual dimension can also be read in these works. We are witnessing a growing tendency to seek out new forms of spirituality and a rediscovery of ethics in art. Reconstructive post-modernism regards interconnectedness, social responsibility and ecological attunement as the crucial issues for human creativity. It calls for a reenchantment of the human soul. Human/Nature is about an awareness of how fragile the balance of nature is, how precious local lifestyles are, and how much it all depends on us. Pressetext

Human/Nature

mit Viktor Daldon, Slaven Tolj, Sandra Sterle, Ivan ·eremet, Denis Krakovic, Ivana Franke, Luko Piplica, Alem Korkut
Kuratoren: Maja & Reuben Fowkes