theminoritypress.com(Pittsburgh, PA) – The Carnegie Museum of Art is set to delve into the dynamic relationship between art and landscape through its upcoming exhibition, “Widening the Lens: Photography, Ecology and the Contemporary Landscape.” Running from May 11th, 2024, to January 12th, 2025, the exhibition aims to challenge traditional notions of photography while exploring the multifaceted connection between artists and nature.
Featuring nearly 100 works by 19 artists, “Widening the Lens” promises a diverse range of artistic expressions, from classic black-and-white prints to immersive installations. Structured around four thematic pillars—interrogating colonial legacies, memorializing nature, considering human impact on the environment, and addressing ecological anxiety and anticipation—the exhibition offers a thought-provoking exploration of contemporary environmental photography.
Dan Leers, Carnegie’s curator of photography, emphasizes the exhibition’s aim to question established narratives about people and ecology. He states, “The project explicitly looks at how the camera can act as a tool to question inherited narratives about people and ecology, and foreground stories that are often overlooked or excluded.”
In conjunction with the exhibition, the Carnegie Museum of Art is launching a six-episode podcast hosted by tennis legend Venus Williams. Scheduled to premiere on June 26th, 2024, the podcast will feature discussions with guest scholars, writers, and artists, offering further insights into the themes explored in the exhibition.
Williams, known for her passion for art and culture, views her involvement in the project as an opportunity to amplify underrepresented voices in the art world. She remarks, “The participating artists and thinkers you’ll hear on the Widening the Lens podcast reflect diverse, global perspectives and a vast range of backgrounds and experiences; I am proud to help amplify their voices as they prompt us to consider new and alternative ways of relating to our landscapes through photography.”
The exhibition and podcast align with the Carnegie Museum of Art’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity in the arts while engaging audiences in critical conversations about contemporary issues.
“Widening the Lens: Photography, Ecology and the Contemporary Landscape” promises to be a compelling exploration of art, environment, and storytelling, inviting visitors to reconsider their relationship with the natural world through the lens of photography.
For more information about the exhibition and podcast, visit the Carnegie Museum of Art’s website.
