Eco Materialism and Contemporary Art

The awesome lecturer, Linda Weintraub

The event, named “Eco Materialism and Contemporary Art, ” which was hosted by Linda Weintraub, reminded me to think about our life of past, or at least a decade ago while we did not encounter so many inventions of artificial intelligence. Let’s think about few questions! How long have we not been using our hands as tools to draw a decoration on the edge of a photo for recording unforgettable memory? Instead, how often do we use the other software, such as Photoshop or Illustrator to do the same thing. Or, do you think that the farmers have been abiding by the old way of plowing with longhorn to furrow the fields rather than using tractors to be a way more efficient and effective?

There is no doubt that people are living in an amazing world where is full of fantastic technological devices. However, people are kind of losing some skills of using basic natural way with the real tool, which is “ourselves,” to do some technical stuff rather than machines. It is true of the idea which was expressed during the event lecture from Linda, to be said that the lifestyle of human beings have been changed since the flying machines came out into the world. Indeed, it is properly so called that “HUMANITY as 'POWER TOOL'.”

While the world has been making rapid and brilliant progress in the fields of science and technology, the view of aesthetic has been changed from earthy, frugal to be lavish, and heavily embellished. Gradually, the style of futuristic design has been in vogue. In the meanwhile, the growth of high-tech would be linked to the increase of pollution due to the matter of waste. As stated by Linda, “so many of our proud achievements are accompanied by disruptions, depletions, squandering, and polluting.” People must admit that we are being against the issue of protection and construction in natural ecology environment, as well as, we are consuming the cultural resources and ruining cultural ecology. Although such the inventive, ingenious devices are performing a great feat of human advancement with the three points in which mentioned as “renown for their inventors, fortunes for their distributors, and gratitude from their beneficiaries,” lots of indigenous monuments which should be remained are going to be impaired.

Taiwanese Indigenous leaf painting

Therefore, we shall dig over the problem of the relationship among eco materialism, technologism, and the principle of artism. Looking back on those old days when we did not have any intelligent robotic assistance, we, ourselves, were intelligent “tools” with clever and incredible skills that pursued so many great achievements and created quite amount of art treasures which were delicate, delightful, and remarkable. Indeed, without integrating the substance of high-tech, those natural artworks which have been reserved till now are stylish, fashionable, and full of spirit. In addition, such the accomplishments were less “registered in oil spills, decimated forests, smog, and toxic waste dumps.” I really recommend my classmates to attend the event, enjoy the lecture, and think about the relation between “technological success” and “ecological 'success”.

My selfie - since the elevator is unstable for using, the upper corner stage is the only space I can stay during the event.