The 鈥淎nthropoScene鈥� exhibit features ceramic sculptures created by over 60 artists, scientists, and students from the 天美视频 (UP) community. The curated installation by Katti Sta. Ana transcends art and science, shedding light on the environmental crisis and our impact on the planet. It responds to the pressing concerns about climate change and the decline of flora and fauna. It is inspired by the concept of the Anthropocene, a term coined by Nobel laureate Paul Crutzen to describe the epoch in which human activity dominates Earth鈥檚 climate. This urgency is resonated throughout the exhibition as it explores the alarming reality of our warming planet caused by our actions.
Sta. Ana, whose practice is rooted in community art and environmental advocacy, invites audience participation not only to learn but also to inspire actionable solutions to the planet鈥檚 concerns. By involving students in clay-making workshops, they are encouraged to connect personally with the species they sculpt. The collaboration also involves the Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society and the UP Zoological Society, ensuring that each species represented reflects reality. Later on, scientists Dr. Jane Delfino of the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM), Dr. Carmela Espa帽ola of the Institute of Biology (IB), and Dr. Caroline Jaraula of the Marine Science Institute (MSI) further discusses the extreme events and effects of climate change.
The exhibit coincidentally grapples with the theme of time. Specifically, the time left for action. Sta. Ana’s work does not merely reflect time鈥檚 passage, it highlights the critical moment when the future is endangered, not through symbolism alone but through scientifically informed representations of a world facing environmental collapse. This idea connects to the vanitas tradition in art history, which uses symbols of mortality to remind viewers of their impermanence. In 鈥淎nthropoScene,鈥� remnants of dead flora and fauna, encased in barren earth, stand as a stark reminder of what may be lost in the near future if we fail to act.
The installation also extends to other media. A significant feature of the exhibition is the video projection 鈥淧arade of Storms,鈥� provided by the IESM. The footage is from October to November 2024, when the Philippines faced a series of devastating tropical cyclones, including typhoons Kristine, Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel, and supertyphoon Pepito. It depicts the escalating threats posed by extreme weather events in the Philippines. Additionally, the soil used in the installation was sourced from dredging at Marikina Riverpark, a flood-prone area frequently affected by storms especially by the said typhoons. Lastly, the sound art 鈥淭racking the Tilting Earth,鈥� created by Tad Ermita帽o and Ryle Russell, using electronics and the tungkod, a DIY instrument inspired by the berimbau, evoke a post-apocalyptic atmosphere to the space. Layers of flute motifs and deep electronic drones mirror the tumultuous environmental shifts, immersing the audience in a soundscape that feels both futuristic and haunting.
At its core, AnthropoScene underscores the powerful fusion of science and art, with both fields collaborating to offer a multifaceted view of climate change. Through research and visualization, the exhibit not only raises awareness of environmental issues like deforestation, species extinction, and pollution but also highlights the importance of collective action, conviction, and awareness of our actions as humans in relation to the environment.
As Sta. Ana said, 鈥淟eft undisturbed, nature regenerates.鈥� Just days after the installation was set up, greenery began to sprout from the soil. Life on the planet will grow if we don鈥檛 exploit it and let it be.
The exhibit ended with a ritual led by Manuel Mesina III. A plant was passed on to the audience as a symbol of their continued commitment to the exhibit鈥檚 message.
More details about the exhibit can be found here: 听
Photos and text by Kevin Roque, UP Media and Public Relations Office. Screenshots from the workshop were taken from their Facebook page:
#KulturangUP #AnthropoScene #EarthMonth, #EarthDay, #EarthDay2025
Connect with UP!
.
听
