It has been suggested that the most recent period in Earth’s history should be called the Anthropocene to indicate that human activity has become the key shaper of the planet’s ecosystems and climate. Facing the new era, future professionals ask themselves: How do my work and profession contribute to anthropocenic developments or to solving anthropocenic issues? What can we learn about the Anthropocene from the work of humans and other-than-humans?
Films offer a multitude of perspectives on how work and the economy produce and shape the Anthropocene. In the interdisciplinary course Film, Work and Anthropocene, we watched films to unpack ideals, ideologies, and imaginaries of the relationships between human and other-than-human work, and nature, society, and the economy. Inspired by films, we discussed our responsibilities and futures as workers, professionals, experts, and citizens in relation to the Anthropocene. Beyond films, we imagined how work and working systems may nurture or harm multispecies interactions that sustain economies and build relationships of care.
The virtual gallery of this Film, Work and Anthropocene exhibition (Spring 2021 and Spring 2022) presents the insights and visions of students who chose to share their perspectives on current and future relationships between work, professions and the Anthropocene. The zines created by students address and explore different ways in which work and professions are portrayed and challenge conventional meanings through the creative use of image, text, and video.
Students joining the exhibition:
Spring 2021: Alice Klein, celine s diaz, Florencia Pochinki, Iiro Korhonen, Joonas Lahikainen, Kia Vuoksenmaa, Matias Myllylä, Mona Pärssinen, Monica Celeste, Nguyen, Rafael Pires, Raiza, Mimosa Rask, Taru Pakkanen, Yijuan Wei, and others.
Spring 2022: Ariana Marta, cyane findji and M.Jahanzaib Naveed.
Teachers:
Inês Peixoto, Tiina Taipale, Eeva Houtbeckers
About UWAS
University Wide Art Studies (UWAS) offers every Aalto student an access to art-based thinking, creative practices, and culture. UWAS opens a possibility to include art and design studies to one’s curriculum and broaden one’s knowledge and skills beyond disciplinary boundaries. This ensures that Aalto University educates multidisciplinary graduates informed in and knowledgeable of how art and creative practices shape and define the world around us. There are no prerequisites for UWAS courses, so students from all Aalto schools are welcome to participate.
Credits:
Images in the header are part of the students’ zines exhibited in this virtual gallery.