The Metabolic Landscape navigates the disciplines of art, science and philosophy to picture and interpret the planet?s current state of ?metabolic distress?. Humankind?s search for more powerful sources of energy to sustain an urbanising existence has created an energy transition that, while hugely beneficial to human existence, is now being identified as a source of harm. Just as metabolic disease refers to energy-sourced medical problems, so too the planet, the authors propose, is showing increasing signs of metabolic distress. The distinctive approaches of each author within the book allow for a diverse and comprehensive discourse on these emerging themes of progressive ecological disturbance: Gina Glover?s work exploits atmospheric weather and ambient lighting conditions to draw attention to such energetic places and artefacts as coalfields in the Arctic, nuclear installations in France and hydraulic fracturing sites in the USA; Jessica Rayner observes how theories of the sun have varied according to the symbolic or scientific precepts of the day, drawing comparison between manufacturing, properties of the sun and changing theories of energy; and Geof Rayner constructs an accompanying textual narrative which shows how the energy transition has profound evolutionary consequences, not only for external nature, but how we see and interpret the landscape. The Metabolic Landscape is a beautifully illustrated, fascinating and engaging exploration of the unfolding relationship between energy and the landscape, and our interpretation of it.
Gina Glover: Gina Glover is director and co-founder of London’s Photofusion Photography Centre. She is a recipient of the Royal Photographic Society’s Hood Medal, and twice winner of the Medical Research Council’s Visions of Science Award. Her work has been featured in numerous photographic exhibitions across the UK, Europe and China
Jessica Rayner: Jessica Rayner is a recent graduate of the Royal College of Art who works across drawing, photography video and sculpture, bringing together a scientific, artistic and historical response to geological phenomena in order to map the relationship between science, ecology and human experience.
Geof Rayner: Geof Rayner has been UK governmental advisor on obesity and a research consultant to European Commission. He is co-author of Ecological Public Health: Shaping the Conditions for Good Health, published by Routledge, 2012. He is also co-founder and chairman of London’s Photofusion Photography Centre.