Flickering in the Anthropocene

Linking visual arts to geoscientific interest. Join me exploring the flickering in the anthropocene.

The anthropocene names a geochronological epoch which is characterized by a significant influence of mankind on the processes of the system of the earth. If and when exactly the anthropocene has started is an open field to discussion. I like the approach of the Anthropocene Working Group, which searches for explicit global markers in the geological stratum composition to define the starting time of the anthropocene. Possible markers are anthropogene radionuclides from atomic bomb testing, plastic particles or fly-ash from industrial production. This global manifestation of human existence in a medium, that’s still readable after millions of years raises ambiguity and reduces individual action to a flickering in the anthropocene. Knowing, that the anthropocene itself is a flickering in space and time.

To find a grip within these overwhelming scales, I reduce myself to the observation of the flickering in my personal environment using a decided subjective background - hoping to make the anthropocene and my place within more tangible.

Visit observe.mertl-research.at to explore my artistic research dealing with urban development, the human relation to earth and the earth itself.

Visual Documentation