Reconciliation with the living: the artists
All experts agree that the climate crisis is the challenge of the 21st century and that a race against time is on. A race to try to preserve our natural habitat in its beauty and diversity, to protect our ecosystems, our natural resources and pass them on to future generations. Beyond the political and legal agreements that are essential to prepare the future, change requires an evolution of mentalities, a different way of considering the place of humans in nature.
This change in mentality can be brought about by artists, who have the capacity to change the way we look at the world, and who produce universal messages. And because the place of digital technology in the social debate is growing, because consciences are now also forged online, we decided to focus on these digital artists who take up the theme of life and biodiversity: they contribute to the emergence of a consciousness to think about the reconciliation of humanity with itself and with life, and represent, in an assertive way or not, a form of Art committed to the environment that we could call green artivism.
This is why Culture For Causes Network has created a digital art exhibition with the support of UNESCO.
The works presented explore the theme of the reconciliation of humanity with itself and with the living, with the aim of questioning our species on the necessity of the change of posture that we must adopt towards the other forms of life. They invite humans to a face-to-face encounter with living beings in order to underline the interdependence, the history and the common destiny of species, but also the certain interest in an intelligent cohabitation. Whether it is through a meditative contemplation of the living, through the borrowing of facts and scientific data from biology or the theory of evolution, biodiversity is at the heart of this exhibition. The works also invite a poetic reflection on the reconciliation and co-habitation of species.
Michaël Zancan
Michaël Zancan is an artist from Bordeaux, France, who has worked as both an oil painter and a creative programmer since the early 90s. In 2021, he discovered in blockchain technology the ideals of decentralisation, and in NFTs, a tool that challenges the art market and gives artists and collectors the ability to connect and the freedom to invest in art and engage in social projects without prejudice or intermediaries.
Zancan practices a genre of art that he describes as “generative-figurative” with a focus on rendering nature using computer code and mathematical formulas. His series “Garden, Monoliths” or “Lushtemples” encourage discussions about virtuous and toxic interactions between technology and the natural world. Zancan is currently the most sought-after artist on Tezos, a blockchain known for its minimal environmental impact.
Refik Anadol
Refik Anadol (1985) is a media artist, director, and pioneer in the aesthetics of machine intelligence. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California, where he owns and operates Refik Anadol Studio and RAS LAB, the Studio’s research practice centered around discovering and developing trailblazing approaches to data narratives and artificial intelligence.
Polina Kuznetsova
Polina Kuznetsova is a contemporary artist born in Kharkiv (Eastern Ukraine). One of the main places in her art practice is the landscape, as evidenced by the poetic glorification of Ukrainian nature in the series "Magic Landscapes". Polina graduated from the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Art. Her works were presented at numerous international exhibitions including the United States, EU, China, and the Philippines.
Entangled Others
Entangled Others is the shared studio practice of artists Feileacan McCormick and Sofia Crespo. Their work focuses on ecology, artificial lifeforms and generative arts, with an emphasis on giving the more-than-human new forms a presence and life in digital space. This involves exploring questions of relationship, biodiversity, and awareness through biology-inspired technologies. They highlight how through conscious efforts, new technology can be used to bring attention and awareness to the unseen that we are tightly interwoven with.
Nikolina Kovalenko
Nikolina is interested in humanity’s psychological connection with Nature and strives to expose the consequences our everyday actions have on the environment. The artist works with fragile ecosystems creating artwork in- spired by locations specific to each project. Her subjects range from global warming, deforestation and coral bleaching, to processing and interpreting visual landscape and cultural associations.
Matthew Plummer-Fernández
British/Colombian artist Matthew Plummer-Fernández works across physical and digital media, critically and playfully examining the interre- lation of algorithmic systems, popular culture, and contemporary issues. Their work fuses Generative Art, Critical Design, and Internet Art, and has been exhibited extensively, commissioned by institutions including the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, AND Festival in Manchester, and ZKM in Karlsruhe. Several works are in the permanent collection of Centre Pompidou in Paris, and was recognised with an award of distinction at Ars Electronica in 2014.
The 4th Block
One of the main places in her art practice is the landscape, as evidenced by the poetic glorification of Ukrainian nature in the series “Magic Landscapes”. Polina graduated from the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Art. Her works were presented at numerous international exhibitions including the United States, EU, China, and the Philippines.
DVK the artist
DVK is an acclaimed multi-disciplinary artist and curator, whose profound artistic prowess has captivated audiences worldwide through compelling exhibitions. DVK’s diverse range of creative expressions encompasses illustration, graphic design, and extensive expertise in working with AI. Often drawing inspiration from Expressionism, Nordic Noir, Futurism, and Brutalism, DVK’s body of work resonates with profound depth and evocative aesthetics. Through his art, DVK eloquently conveys his inner universe, experiences, and resolute perspectives on the world at large.
Phaust
Phaust is a generative art collective based in London and Brighton. With backgrounds in computer science and neuroscience, their work explores the eternal intersection between art and science. Randomness is explored and embraced as a creative force and a way of examining our place in in- creasingly complex systems. Embracing the liberty of deploying code for aesthetic means, they also look to investigate the nature of collaboration. Be that collaboration between individuals, between human and machine, between us and nature, or with those who came before us. They are excited by the dynamic possibilities of generative art and the many different ways we can learn through it.
Paweł Grzelak
Paweł Grzelak is a three-dimensional artist who has transitioned from design to art over the last two decades of experimentation in the field. Specializing in the procedural approach enables him to mimic natural pro- cesses such as growth or decay. In his animated series, he combines the pat- terns, behaviors, and shapes observed in deep-sea species with the distinct appearance of microscopic imaging, resulting in the creation of new, digital life forms.
Ian (sumofprimes)
Ian (sumofprimes) began the journey into digital expression long ago, learning to code in his youth. Generative art, 3D, fractals, digital painting, AI, and more, curiosity & passion lead him to explore the potential down new technological rabbit holes.
Passion has driven him to conduct carbon capture R&D, and he’s laying a foundation to tackle the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and more, at-scale. One component involves a local UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, aiming for a movement that can span their global network.
DeltaSauce
DeltaSauce is an artist based in Texas, with a passion for creating works inspired by locations, and spaces. With a background in sculpting and woodworking, DeltaSauce has transitioned into the world of digital art. Utilizing AI to capture memories the way a cinematographer would capture moments in a movie.
Georgina Hooper
Georgina Hooper is an Australian artist exploring the seen and unseen energies around us. Art, for her, merges philosophy, science, and creativity. Her work draws from her PhD research in traditional Chinese painting, neuroscience, and engagement with Eastern artistic traditions. At 17, she majored in painting for her Bachelor of Fine Art, and later received a research scholarship to study traditional Chinese painting at the University of Tianjin in China. Combining ancient and contemporary knowledge, Georgina aims to illuminate art as a tool that enhances cognitive, emotional, and physical states for artists and audiences alike.
BLΛC.ai
An artist and creative for two decades; as an abstract expressionist painter, photographer, designer, creative team leader, and more. BLAC’s work explores conceptual contrasts such as good vs. evil, freedom vs. ruin, and reality vs. unreal and constantly pushes the boundaries of technological abilities and artistic expression. BLAC’s work has been exhibited in Rome, LA, NY, Paris, and now Portugal, as well as included in several publications in the NFT + AI community including NFTnow, StabilityAI’s STABLE Publication, Aguilar and more.
CharlesAI
CharlesAI, a French doctor and NFT artist, turned to AI art in 2021 to relieve the stress of working in the ER during COVID. Discovering AI art with VQGAN + CLIP ignited his passion. He began minting his works, gaining attention for colorful landscapes on Opensea. His art was exhibited at MoCa Gallery, IHAM art gallery in Paris, and sold at the first French physical NFT auction. CharlesAI co-organized the first European physical AI art exhibit in Nice and showcased his work in Rome, Milan, and Art Basel Miami. He was interviewed by BFMTV, discussing his creative process and opinions on AI art and its ethical implications. CharlesAI’s work was published in Beaux Arts magazine and used to teach AI art at prestigious institutions worldwide.
Nanda Khiara
Nanda Khiara uses paint to express her passion for life through abstract expressionism. Her paintings are vibrant and complex, depicting themes of change and her experiences living in different parts of the world. She is British by nationality and Indian by origin, and has lived in places like Kuwait, London, Hong Kong, Dubai and Mumbai. With a background in Interior Design and an MBA, Nanda left behind the corporate world to explore the world of colors. She mostly works in acrylics and often uses large canvases to showcase her bold compositions and storytelling. Nanda's unique style and diverse body of work is unified by an aura of mysticism.
Di Couto
Di Couto is a Brazilian painter, muralist and illustrator. She has been working with art for 15 years, but after becoming a mother, she changed her aesthetics and approach, bringing themes about her experience with motherhood and our vision of the feminine to the walls and screens. She brings to her art symbols about her trajectory, mythology and Brazilian culture.
Ni da Costa
Ni da Costa is a Brazilian visual artist, with a BFA in Printmaking from EBA-UFRJ, she lives and works in Rio de Janeiro. She uses various media, such as painting, photography and drawing, she loves animation, which have been exploring since she started working more with the digital universe, this year she started to explore the metaverse and learned about its countless possibilities. She had been participating in collective and individual exhibitions since 1985 in many art institutions and art salons in Brazil and abroad.
Oktay Barkin
Oktay Barkin was born in Burdur, Turkey, in 1974. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Graphic Design Department at Süleyman Demirel University, between 1994 and 1998. He continued his graphic design activities, which he started in 1994, by working at numerous advertising agencies in Antalya. He completed his master’s degree at the Institute of Fine Arts, Graphic Design Department of Süleyman Demirel University, between 2015 and 2017. Since 1994, he has participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions. He has received awards in national and international competitions since 1998 and has participated in exhibitions. Since 2001, he has been working as a lecturer at Akdeniz University.
Abbas Berangi
Graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts/University of Tehran Founder of Abr Design Studio.
Dmitry Mirilenko
Dmitry Mirilenko – artist, photographer and designer, member of the Union of Artists of Russia, member of Council of Art-Nevagrad, curator deaf photographers. Born in 1978 in the city of Angarsk.
He graduated from the Pavlovsk Art College, St. Petersburg State University with a degree in Graphic Design, where he defended a graduation project on the theme: “Poetry of Dadaism”, which won the “Modulor 2007” and the faculty of press photographers of them.Galperin at the Union of journalists.
Participant and winner of professional contests and exhibitions of graphic design, poster, painting and photography./Works are in private collections and museums in Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Canada, Croatia, and the USA, China.
Hiroyuki Matsuishi
Hiroyuki Matsuishi is a representative of Hiroyuki Matsuishi Design Office.Main duties are brand mark design, package design, advertisement design.He specializes in Japanese-style design using brushstrokes and sumi-e.He has been presenting original poster works on environmental issues since 15 years ago, and has won many awards in international competitions.