Moma PS1 Expo 1:New York

MoMA PS1 Expo 1:New York

MoMA PS1 is a unique artistic endeavor that has contributed to the social, political, and environmental awareness since its inception in the early 1970's. Currently it is promoting an "exploration of the ecological challenges in the context of the economic and sociopolitical instability of the early 21st century," called "Expo 1: New York." ("Expo 1: New York") One of the modules on display is called "Agnes Denes, Wheatfield-S confrontation: Battery Park Landfill, Downtown Manhattan, 1982," and features three prints which display a wheat field with the skyline of Manhattan in the background. In terms of community, particularly addressing the issues of social and personal responsibility, I believe that his module reflects the ecological balance that mankind must maintain and the tilting of that balance away from nature.

Manhattan Island, New York was once a place where nature was abundant and there was more wilderness than settled land. But as New York grew and more human inhabitants settled, the natural landscape was forever changed in favor of human habitation. And as the island of Manhattan was urbanized, there began an imbalance in the relationship between humans and the environment. This imbalance has continued into the 21st century and now its effects are beginning to be realized. Global climate change in only the symptom of a much deeper illness that plaques mankind. Humans have lost their original connection with the environment, and are beginning to suffer catastrophic consequences as a result.

Agnes Denes' prints symbolize the battle that mankind has waged against the environment. Wheat, which I believe represents the environment, is a nurturing giver of life. People must eat in order to survive, and that food comes as a gift from the natural world. Wheat symbolizes life for humanity. In the background is the Manhattan skyline with the former twin towers of the World Trade Center in the center. The Urbanization of the island of Manhattan is symbolic of a war that humanity has waged against nature in the name of "civilization." Civilization has come to be synonymous with things that are not found in nature. But this not only represents the war that humanity has waged against the environment, it also reminds the viewer of a tragedy. And while the tragedy was not an environmental one, the image of the World Trade Center instills the emotion of tragedy which the art is attempting to convey has been the result of man's war on the environment.