David Brooks

https://art21.org/watch/new-york-close-up/david-brooks-is-in-his-element/

Artist David Brooks shares his fascination with the natural world by volunteering in biological expeditions. He utilizes these opportunities as excuses to go out into nature and get physical contact with the research being conducted by the scientist, in order to see evolution itself. This fascination with living allows him to acquire an understanding of the processes needed in order to properly document and research the biodiversity of the world. In this particular case, he took part in an expedition, looking for armored catfish in the Amazon. Being part of this group of scientists he talks about how everything from the geographical history of the area to the cultural interactions on the native people with the rivers, has affected the evolutionary distinction in the mandibles of this particular catfish species. Such an extensive process for him to partake, in order to gather information to then talk about the way in which artists and scientists view and interact with the natural world. the very impressive task to take part in just to get an understanding of concepts to then make artwork related to these ideas.

Diana Thater

https://art21.org/watch/extended-play/diana-thater-delphine-short/

Diana Thater is an activist and artist that focuses on the way living creatures are treated by humans. She has spent some time preventing the sale of cetaceans, marine mammals like whales and dolphins, to amusement parks. She speaks about the politics in her art and the politics of activism, she says mixing them will make them muddle. Preferring the subtlety of politics in her art. Speaking about film and documentation of animals she mentions that a film or photograph of an animal without narrative is a problem, because one image after another looks great but it lacks substance. In her work, she attempts to involve the viewer in the world of the creature being presented. Stating that the feeling being created by the projections in the surroundings of the viewer will be enough to create a lasting emotion. She displays projections of footage of an animal in a way that surrounds the viewers into the world of the creature. A direct contrast to zoos, which encage creatures in human surroundings. She talks about how sad zoos are since the confinement of these animals makes them psychotic. Even with the best treatment and proper nutrition, this confinement gives off a horrible view of the human treatment of animals. Thater speaks about her work as an activist, how can she translate these actions to make artwork that will leave a feeling. This feeling she talks about will grow into change, change in the human mind, and subsequently change in the issue presented. She believes that once the viewer contemplates the beauty of this world, they will recognize and acknowledge all other living creatures through a sympathetic adventure. Which will better conditions not only for the animals but for humans as well.

Neukom Vivarium

Mark Dion. Neukom Vivarium, 2006. Mixed-media installation, greenhouse structure: 80 feet long.

https://art21.org/watch/art-in-the-twenty-first-century/s4/mark-dion-in-ecology-segment/

Mark Dions installation talks about the significance of ecological preservation. But most impressive is the length by which he goes to show how hard it is to do all the things the natural world does. In this immense project Dion and his team which consists of many other fields of study like scientists, architects, construction workers, and many more. Tackle the task of removing this dead tree and placing it in the middle of the Seattle streets to show the people how hard it is to maintain life. In this case, the many plants and organisms that live on and around the tree, because of the tree. Complex irrigation systems, as well as lighting, shading, temperature, and humidity, controls needed to be designed to try to maintain this ecosystem alive. The entire design of these mechanisms is exposed and done in a very elegant way to show the viewers as they walk through the vivarium how much it takes and how we take for granted all these natural processes. Please check out the short documentary of this very interesting project at the link below.