Arts at Richland Community College

The next exhibitor at the David Erlanson Gallery is Champaign Illinois artist Kim Curtis. Kim is an instructor in the Department of Theater at the University of Illinois her paintings explore themes of landscape perception and most recently, the traces left behind by years of human interaction with the natural world.

Kim will be here on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at 12 PM to discuss her exhibit “Reconfiguration” along with visiting professor Dr. Natalie Kofler.
Dr. Kofler is a molecular biologist that teaches environmental ethics at the Center for Bioethics at Harvard Medical School and guest lectures at Yale University and MIT.

“One of the many themes Dr. Kofler examines under the umbrella of Environmental Ethics is how we view nature and what we think nature actually is. This is part of a larger discussion of the “Anthropocene” -- our human role in the reconfiguring of our environment, its natural systems and our continuing desire to manipulate it especially now in the face of climate change.The way our work intersects is that my paintings seek to expose the layers of history in our landscape and emphasize the presence of man-made materials embedded in these layers. The images that evolve out of the layered processes of adaptation and reconfiguration are perhaps a more objective look at the reality of our current landscapes, rather than landscape paintings, which edit these realities out. We both examine the varying definitions of the “natural” and look at the use of environment in terms of utility value, conservation, resource management etc.” Kim Curtis

This presentation is open to the public in the David Erlanson Gallery of Richland Community College refreshments will be served.

Gallery hours are Monday and Wednesday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and can also be open upon special request by contacting Gil Rocha, Professor of Art at 217.875.7211 ext. 6391 / [email protected]

This exhibit is sponsored in part by the David Erlanson Art Gallery Endowment Fund established through the Richland Foundation and the Richland Community College Department of Fine Art.