The works in the exhibition continues the series Systema naturae which Minna Kangasmaa has been developing since 2007. The works in the series bring under scrutiny interactions between human, society and nature and their potential to generate both destruction and progress.
The word ‘nature’ is commonplace, but as a concept its definition is getting more challenging almost by the day – new ideas about nature reveal also new aspects of ourselves, of society, culture and history. In the 18th century, Swedish natural scientist Carl von Linné placed humans in his taxonomic system as one species in the order of primates among other animals. After the designation he added the motto ‘nosce te ipsum’ – know thyself. Without doubt, Linné’s vision of an orderly arranged nature turned out to have also negative consequences. One of the origins of scientific racism can be traced to Linne’s work on the classification of man, which had devastating and far-reaching consequences for humanity. As fundamental as Linnaeus' Systema naturae classification was, it does not prevent us from building a new kind of understanding of nature and ourselves. A key issue in this is the human capacity for empathy and how it could be extended to cover the entire globe. Our relationship with nature – the way we use decreasing resources and treat other people, animals, plants and everything else on this planet – all this has implications for our present and future. Empathy plays a crucial role, as it may be the way to a new kind of understanding.
Gallery Vanha Raatihuone
Vanha Suurtori 3, 20500 Turku, Finland
Open Tuesday - Sunday from 10am to 6pm
Free Entrance