Issue 1 (17) 2022

Animals: New Perspectives on Human-Animal Interactions

Jakob Kudsk Steensen ◦ Sean Scully ◦ Laurence Kubski ◦ WWF and more

Cover designed by Kasia Walentynowicz

Even in the 21st century, we are still discovering new species of animals living alongside us. We search for new forms of life in the universe and develop artificial intelligence, yet we lack empathy towards all creatures, including our smaller companions. Particularly at the current time, a time of war, we should consider how we can act here and now. It is about time we reassessed our position not only in relation to our geopolitical neighbour, but also in relation to another neighbour that we often overlook and systematically annihilate: animals. They are the main focus of the new issue of our magazine, in which we attempt to look at the world from a non-human perspective, and will focus on topics such as animal rights, the animal as a metaphor for human affairs, behaviours, states or the perception of animals by different cultures.

Our journey begins with the cover designed by Kasia Walentynowicz, who invites us to experience peace, to lie down for a while on a flowery meadow among flowers and bees and to look at the world from the position of an animal hiding in a thicket, through the eyes of a lynx. Then, in our conversation with Jakob Kudsk Steensen we will enter his vast virtual landscapes and immediately immerse ourselves in three-dimensional worlds, exploring interpretations of overlooked natural phenomena: extinct birds, tropical forests or disappearing wetlands. We also interviewed Marta Bogdańska, photographer and film-maker, who provides a critical look at the history of human domination over other animal species in her project ‘Shifters,’ about which she will tell us more.

In this issue you will also find a photo essay by Laurence Kubski, who explores the relationship between humans and animals. In the ‘Crickets’ project, she documents her exploration of Chinese cricket culture. What’s more, two writers address the ethical aspect of our relationship with animals by considering the changing role of natural history museums and questioning how close we are to nature. The magazine also features Disnovation‘s intriguing project, ‘The Post Growth Toolkit,’ a board game about biodiversity and geodiversity, and the transfer of resources between species.

In addition, we also explore other points of view in cinema, documentary film or design trends. In the essay ‘A Search for a Different Gaze’ we explore the relationship between animals and film, and how it is changing today, touching upon the quintessence of the very nature of the art of cinema, along with its moral, social, political and economic contexts. We also continue our series on the ‘Great Film Directors’ to give you a unique opportunity to take a look at the previously unpublished animated film screenplay ‘The Stag’ by Krzysztof Kieślowski.

Inside the magazine, you will also find articles about:

  • NFTs and their place in the art world;
  • How have Natural History Museums changed over the years;
  • Ethics in the art world and the controversies surrounding it;
  • Sustainable design that can help save our waters;
  • How can art help in saving environment;
  • Art and culture in Zagreb.

9 EDITORS’ LETTER

10 MAKING OUR COVER

12 CONTRIBUTORS

15 MAPPING OUR ARTICLES

16 IN THE SPOTLIGHT

19 ARTIST TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2022

ARTISTS / Close-up

22 Jakob Kudsk SteensenReviving Intuitive Sensibilities

34 Marta Bogdańska Unfamiliar Emotions: How Do We ExploitAnimals?

42 Debashish Paul Hard Shell Over Soft Skin

50 Laurence KubskiSpecial Feature

60 Ewa KurylukI, White Kangaroo

64 Sean Scully I Make Each Painting Independent

ANIMALS / New Perspectives on Human-Animal Interactions

72 Humans Are Cultured Animals: How Close Are We to Nature?

76 Lois Weinberger

78 A Search for a Different Gaze Looking at Animals in Film

84 The Stag: Animated Film Screenplay

86 The Animals of Kieślowski

90 Unnatural History: How Have Natural History Museums Changed Over the Years?

96 The Post Growth Toolkit: DISNOVATION.ORG

TREND-SPOTTING / New Culture Codes

106 Katie White from WWF-UK: Art For Your World

112 Designing Side By Side With Nature

120 LASVIT: For Your Eyes Only

128 Objects of Desire

132 Plenty of Fish in the Sea? How Sustainable Design Can Help Save Our Waters

134 God Save the Queen

MIND THE MAP

143 Zagreb: Unlock the Power of Community

COLLECTING / Treasure Hunt

152 Fondazione Morra: Collecting as a Philosophy of Life

158 Magdalena Abakanowicz: A Total Artist

160 The Collection of Sylwia and Piotr Krupa: Opening Up Your Business to Art Can Only Bring Benefits

162 NFT Prices: What Is Happening Today in the NFT Market?

TIPS / Shaping the Future

168 NFTsA New Trend or an Evolution of the Art World?

176 On Our Shelf

178 Year of the Tiger: Ewa Ciepielewska

Contributors:

  • Zuzanna Auguścik,
  • Adrian Balcau,
  • Dorian Batycka,
  • Dobromiła Błaszczyk,
  • Anna Dziuba,
  • Patrycja Głusiec,
  • Mikołaj Jazdon,
  • Sylwia Krasoń,
  • Aleksandra Mainka-Pawłowska,
  • Maria Markiewicz,
  • Małgorzata Marszałł,
  • Mannika Mishra,
  • HelenaPostawka-Lech,
  • Patrycja Rozwora,
  • Karol Szafraniec,
  • AnnaTomczak,
  • Anja Tomljenović,
  • Dominika Tylcz,
  • Marek Wołyński,
  • Marta Wróblewska,
  • Kuba Żary.

Illustrations:

  • Marta Krysińska

LYNX Team:

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