In her talk, “Staying with the Trouble: Becoming More Connected to the Earth Through Loss,” Nigerian American artist Nnenna Okore will reflect upon social alienation during Covid lockdown and how it led to her discovery of new ways to connect with the natural environment through bioplastic art exploration. In the face of many challenges and the devastation brought on by ecological changes, Okore will discuss one of her major influences, feminist theorist Donna Haraway, who argued that we might stay with the trouble of living and dying together on the damaged earth by provoking thoughtful solutions and building a more livable future.
Cosponsored with the Department of Global Development in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Prior to the lecture, we invite you to view a special curricular installation of works from the Museum’s collections—developed jointly by artist Nnenna Okore; Alison Rittershaus, Lynch Postdoctoral Associate for Curricular Engagement at the Johnson Museum; and Lori Leonard, Chair of the Department of Global Development—to support Dr. Leonard’s “Circular Economy Seminar” (GDEV5038) this semester. The installation will be on view in the newly renovated Richard Sukenik ’59 Teaching Gallery, a space dedicated to interdisciplinary teaching and learning with the Johnson Museum’s permanent collection.
Image above, at left: Invasive Macro-organisms (2022), plastic bags, plastic sheet, and latex paint (detail) installed at the AKAA (Also Known As Africa) Art & Design Fair. Courtesy of Nnenna Okore.