We All Live Here Together: Connecting to Conservation Locally
August 9 - September 5, 2024
Joan T Boghossian Gallery, Providence Public Library, RI, USA
We All Live Here Together showcases art, writing, music, and video from Rhode Island creatives of all ages. The exhibition features a wide range of perspectives on wildlife and conservation in Rhode Island, gathered from open submissions and workshops held in collaboration with the Community Libraries of Providence. Thank you to all who submitted and attended a workshop!
Exhibited Artworks:
Exhibiting Creatives:
Aleksandra Azbel // Ava Varszegi // Aya Rothwell // Beatrice McGeoch // Brenda Adames // Charlotte Powning // Eleanor Quist Costello Olson // EliNixon // Elise Milner // Gina Lerman // Jasmine Gutbrod // Joan Zaretti // John Powning // Jorge Casado // Judy Doherty // Jules Zukerberg // Kim Arthurs // Kit Grindeland // Martha Kuhlman // Melissa Guillet // Miles Labelle // Nicholas Moffett // Nyala Honda // Owen Cuseo // Patricia McAlpine // Rachel Maeve // Reilly Blum // Sanika Phawde // Valerie Carrigan // Yili Ren // Yan Li
Performances by Eli Nixon and Kim Arthurs were held on August 28, 2024 as part of this exhibition.
About the Exhibit
"Nature-culture dualism" is the conceptual division between "nature" - pristine, unaltered wilderness we make intentional trips out to - and "culture" - where we live our daily lives. This divisim creates a problematic separation between our lives and conservation. We come to see wildlife as something far away–relegated to parks we have to drive to–and conservation issues feel even farther away–in places like the African savanna or the Great Barrier Reefs. Although we may care about conservation, it can feel like conservation only happens far from home.
Instead of viewing conservation from a distance, let’s become curious about the ecology of our own neighborhoods. Are plants and animals able to use the retention pond next to the shopping plaza? How can we show that what looks like a large puddle is actually an important vernal pool? Have we thoroughly checked the old neighborhood tree for baby owls and raccoons before cutting it down? How can piling old Christmas trees help our local ecology? What other creatures live in our neighborhood?
In breaking down the division between nature and culture, we can see ourselves as an active part of our local ecology and seek opportunities to weave conservation into our daily lives.
Curatorial Questions:
What's something that makes Rhode Island's ecology feel special to you?
Rhode Island hosts a diverse range of ecosystems, including coastal areas, salt marshes, forests, and freshwater habitats. No matter where in Rhode Island you lives, you are in contact with a valuable ecosystem.
What plants or animals might get overlooked in the representation of conservation and local wildlife?
When we think of conservation, often the photogenic "charismatic megafauna" (the big animals like tigers and elephants) come to mind first. This can lead to a disconnect from the wildlife we see in our day-to-day lives and the conservation needs of our local ecosystem. This exhibition asks us all to consider wildlife we have encountered in our parks, cities, and even backyards, so that we may deepen our relationship to wildlife living nearby.
How can we bring conservation into our daily lives?
Government policy, regulations on industry and indigenous land rights are ultimately what lead the largest changes in conservation, but they are not the only ways to make conservation happen. We can all engage in meaningful conservation efforts locally. Getting involved in local conservation efforts can be the first step towards bigger change.
Questions? Please email Creature Conserve Curatorial Fellow, Kotone Deguchi: kotone@creatureconserve.com
from the Curator:
READ about Kotone’s experience as Curator and learn more about We All Live Here Together in this August 23 article from the Providence Public Library.
This exhibition is curated by Creature Conserve's 2024 Rhode Island Curatorial Fellow, Kotone Deguchi and is made possible in part by a grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, through an appropriation by the Rhode Island General Assembly and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
