Seeds of Collapse: Exploring the Role of the Public in the Wake of Industrial Collapse

Abstract

I am using printmaking as a medium for the dissemination of my critique of industrial civilization in order to affect the level of social consciousness within our society. By taking graphic and disturbed images within my prints and pairing them with a more optimistic and colorful set of images I am highlighting the process of civilization collapsing and my hopeful view of nature taking over once again. Part of this process involves increasing the public's interest in growing food and building sustainable food production in an urban environment. By using printmaking I am engaging the public in this transition by the literal spreading of seeds that are physically contained within the print. I have placed vegetable seeds into tabs that are meant to be pulled and planted by the viewer who engages this work. This act may lead to an increase in public involvement in building an urban agriculture movement.