GSK Contemporary – Earth: Art of a Changing World

Pioneering contemporary artists explore the issue of climate change in a powerful new exhibition at London's Royal Academy of Arts.

GSK Contemporary 2009 at the Royal Academy of Arts

GSK Contemporary goes back to nature for its second year at London's Royal Academy of Arts.

The theme of this year's event is Earth: Art of a Changing World. The exhibition explores the relationship between art and issues such as the climate change debate.

Displays include new or recent works from 30 contemporary artists and cultural figures, including poet Lemm Sissay and writer Ian McEwan.

The artists explore the cultural impact of climate change and reinvigorate the debate by presenting the issues in a new, creative and accessible form. 

Themes of Earth: Art of a Changing World

The fascinating exhibition covers a variety of themes, from the role of artists as cultural representatives to our changing attitude towards the earth.

Introduction

The exhibition begins by exploring elements of the natural world, the actions that threaten the earth's balance and our cultural relationship to the earth. Artists include:

• Ackroyd & Harvey
• Spencer Finch
• Mona Hatoum
• Marcos Lutyens & Alessandro Marianantoni

Perceived Reality

The second section represents the world as we imagine it today.

Artists such as Antti Laitinen and Edward Burtynsky explore how we imagine our existence to be secure, and the belief that we have control and authority over the world.

Artist as Explorer and Reflector

The central part of the exhibition looks at the role of the artist as communicator, reflector and interpreter of concerns of the day.

See how artists from the age of Darwin to today have portrayed key issues in a way that makes them more understandable. Look out for work from:

• Sophie Calle
• Lucy & Jorge Orta
• Cornelia Parker
• The poet Lemn Sissay
• Shiro Takatani

Destruction

Come face to face with the consequences of human behaviour through natural disasters and physical collapse.

Explore the effects through works that contrast the beauty of the planet with the damage being inflicted upon it.

The New (Reality)

The final section of the exhibition looks at our changing view of the earth.

See how climate change is awakening a sense of care and empathy for our planet – just as the first images of the earth taken from Apollo 8 did back in 1968.

Artists such as the writer Ian McEwan, Mariele Neudecker and Emma Wieslander explore this shift through different routes, from scientific developments to film and music.

Talks, debates and performances

As well as beautiful, powerful and thought-provoking works, GSK Contemporary: Earth features a series of fascinating events linked to the exhibition.

Be inspired by panel discussions, artist talks, performances and music based on the themes of water and fire.

There's also a family activity programme, with plenty of lively, informative activities for all ages.

Curators: Kathleen Soriano, Director of Exhibitions at the Royal Academy of Arts; David Buckland, Director of Cape Farewell; Edith Devaney, Royal Academy of Arts