May 19: The Anthropocene

The Anthropocene is the period within which our everyday lives are being lived, according to many scientists. They point to the evidence that this period in the Earth's history has seen a great many of its natural systems changed by human activities.

The date that this began (and not everyone agrees that it has) is contested, and may date to the Industrial revolution, although others point to the conquest of the Americas and the clearance of forests and death of millions alongside exploitation of natural resources. Others say that it followed the first nuclear testing, placing a layer of non-natural elements into the fossil record.

David Matless writes in Tim Dee's anthology on Place 'Ground Work' about the anthroposcenic.

Image: Tullio Danese

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tulliodainese/51239828448/sizes/c/ 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tulliodainese/

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The image on this post shows a building housing an exhibition by Edward Burtynsky. He had an exhibition in London a few years ago on a similar theme. He produces large format photographs showing the impact of humans on the surface of the Earth. See the website here. 

Edward will also have his own post on the blog.