Natural Wonders ― The Sublime in Contemporary Art

Artists such as Maya Lin, Roxy Paine, and Dustin Yellin show the impact of human interventionon our ecosystem through a mix of installations, video, photography, and sculpture.

Natural Wonders spotlights the works of thirteen artists who work in various media to depict themes of nature—both its beauty and its more disquieting aspects—from painting and sculpture to 3-D landscapes and botanical replications to dioramas and lenticular prints. The range of works encourages us to be more attentive to our natural surroundings and address timely issues such as habitat loss, environmental toxins, bioengineering, and increasing alienation from nature. Ramljak’s essay provides a broad cultural and historical context for the contemporary artworks, complemented by artist statements and an interview between environmentally minded artists Mark Dion and Alexis Rockman.

Suzanne Ramljak, a writer, curator, and art historian, currently serves as a curator at the American Federation of Arts. She was formerly editor of Sculpture and Metalsmith magazines. Mark Dion is a contemporary visual artist who produces work on the topic of theculture of nature. Alexis Rockman is an artist whose works depict future ecosystems impacted by climate change and genetically modified organisms.