By Alexander Rothmeier
I recently made a trip up to Sydney for a weekend away. It’s a place I don’t often visit so I was excited to check out the art and design scene while I was there. After some internet searching I found myself at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), at an exhibition by Australian artist Janet Laurence. Initially intrigued by the building’s facade, I was sure that whatever was inside the MCA would be something special – I was right.
After Nature is a survey exhibition that encompasses Laurence’s expansive career as a multidisciplinary artist, showcasing her works from the early 1990’s up until the present day. Through her paintings, photography, sculpture, installations and videos Laurance encompasses the beauty and fragility of nature, while primarily seeking to provoke the key theme of Anthropocene [1]. A sense of reflection radiates throughout each piece, a call to action in the eyes of Laurence: “We are in a period of the Anthropocene where we are thinking, how do we live on our planet now?” [2]
Photograph: Jacquie Manning
Laurence’s use of raw materials such as minerals, oxides, plant matter and taxidermy in conjunction with medical and scientific instruments and vessels portrayed a wunderkammer experience and a strong sense of intrigue within me. I was set adrift through the gallery space, much like the roots of a tree spreading under the surface; each piece of art a breath of fresh air within an enclosed space. Vertical compositions and natural biological forms drew the organic elements of Laurence’s works back toward the earth and out of the clutches of the stark and sterile white gallery walls.
Like a lifeless specimen placed upon a steel operating table, Laurence’s work Heartshock 2008/2019 (figure 3, figure 4) spreads itself over the menacingly cold polished concrete floor in an entanglement of browns and white-pink polka dots. Heartshock consists of a deceased gum tree with a network of slithering branches that are covered in white bandage and rock salt. Some of the branch tips are capped over with bandage; other limbs of the tree are hooped with the soft white material, like a patient with a damaged arm. Chunks of pink Himalayan rock salt teem from the trees pores in many locations.
Photograph: Jacquie Manning
Without an armour of bark to protect itself the idle tree sits exposed in its most bare form; revealing a sporadic surface inscription of curving impressions, ‘drawings’ describes Laurence, created by burrowing insects [3]. The tree had died due to drought and was extracted by Laurence from the Australian Botanic Garden in Mount Annan New South Wales after it was deemed necessary for it to be cut down.
Laurence attempts to create a sense of empathy within the audience through her incorporation of human related objects. The bandage and rock salt crystals appear to be healing the tree in a medical, mythological and spiritual manner – as if it were human. This collaboration of materials evokes familiarity and in turn breeds sympathy for the tree. After some contemplation I found myself reflecting upon my own path in life; one of a designer, and how I can navigate the ‘post-natural’ world Laurence had visualised in a sustainable and responsible way. I was left questioning how I can critically and ethically approach both my practice and ideology of design.
Philosopher of design and sustainability Tony Fry explores the concepts of ‘defuturing’ in his texts; a perception of design that diminishes the future through an inconsiderate outlook of the present [4]. Fry suggests a need for radical change amongst the design industry where “designers place the current needs of the market in second place to the politico-ethical project of gaining sustainability” [5]. In order to achieve this, Fry states that design “must be understood anthropologically” [6].
After Nature has instilled and deepened my concerns about the contributions that the design world makes to our Anthropocene time-frame; with the constant marketing of consumer products and promotion of unsustainable capitalist philosophies. The question remains as to if we as designers can work hand-in-hand to better keep our precious earth from degrading beyond reach. We have the power to communicate; we have the power to unite our global community. “Many of us now feel we must use whatever weapons we have to raise the alarm for extinction and ecosystem depletions. Laurence’s new exhibition sounds that warning bell” [5].
References
[1] Kent, Rachel. Curatorial Essay of After Nature: Janet Laurence. Sydney: Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, 2018. Accessed April 5, 2019. https://www.mca.com.au/stories-and-ideas/after-nature-janet-laurence/
[2] MCA Digital Media Department. “Janet Laurence: After Nature (behind the scenes)” (online video). Published October 22, 2018. Accessed March 25, 2019. https://www.mca.com.au/artists-works/exhibitions/829-janet-laurence/.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Hunt, Jamer. Prototyping the social: temporality and speculative futures at the intersection of design and culture. (2011): 35-36. Cited in Clarke, Alison J. Design Anthropology : Object Culture in the 21st Century. Edition Die Angewandte, University Press. Wien; New York: Springer, 2011.
[5] Fry, Tony. Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice. Australian ed. Sydney: University of New South Wales Press, 2009: 2-46.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Gibson, Prudence, and University of New South Wales. Janet Laurence: After Nature sounds an exquisite warning bell for extinction. The Conversation. Accessed April 5, 2019. https://theconversation.com/janet-laurence-after-nature-sounds-an-exquisite-warning-bell-for-extinction-112942
Design Practices 
Great breakdown of a stunning exhibition! I agree that Laurence’s approach to stripping the branch to such a vulnerable state reflects the unprotected and endangered nature of the earth, all occurring at a rapid rate during the ‘Anthropocene’. It is saddening yet also a wake up call to our actions, and will now act as a reminder of our power. Reading this I admire your reflection to your ethical approach to design. I find it difficult at times to maintain a sustainable focus as I tend get overwhelmed with how many aspects there are to consider. Considering Laurence’s work, what are the first steps you believe we should take for change? I believe it is a great discussion for us to have as young designers, as we can work together to shape our future. I think that as we begin to receive more and more briefs, we can start to be increasingly mindful of our actions, whether it is ensuring an appropriate focus to social change or a more sustainable one on the physical materials we use. Exceptional start to a great discussion!
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