anthropocene

The anthropocene is a proposed geological epoch distinguished by the impact of humanity on Earth’s ecosystems. The beginning and end of this epoch are subject to interpretation. According to Timothy Morton, a philosopher and ecologist whose worldview embraces object-oriented ontology, the demarcation between the anthropocene and the previous epoch (known as the Holocene) occurred when the manufacture of artificial materials intensified, which led to the advent of railways and widespread fossil fuel combustion. SMB10 Eu Zên (2018) explored the notion of a “good life (eu zên)” in the “New Normal” era, with the anthropocene serving as a contextual backdrop. During SMB10, the Biennale’s central space referred to as the “Agora” in a metaphorical reference to the public square and site of continuous debate in ancient Greece. This space functioned as a platform where participants from various fields were invited to exchange ideas and practices, thereby fostering increased awareness of the anthropocene as a historical turning point.