Mixed Media The Ecozoic Era: Plant/Seed/Soil at the State Capitol’s Rotunda Gallery

In the Ecozoic era, every day is Earth Day. Earth scholar, geologist, and theologian Thomas Berry (1914-2009) coined the term “Ecozoic era” to describe an emerging eco-conscious time period. Berry considered the industrialized Western world of the late 19th century through the early 21st century to mark the end of the Cenozoic era, a period that lasted for 65 million years. The Ecozoic era is possibly the start of a new dawn for the relationship between people and the Earth, and New Mexico has no shortage of eco-conscious artists, whose works can deepen our understanding of a fragile but enduring planet. Some of their art can be seen in a group exhibition on the themes of our connection to — and reliance upon — the Earth and its nurturing properties that come in the forms of soil, seeds, and plants.

The exhibition includes art in a variety of media by more than 20 artists such as Axle Contemporary co-founder Matthew Chase-Daniel; Basia Irland, whose work focuses on water issues around the world; and Chrissie Orr, a founding member of SeedBroadcast, a Mobile Seed Story Broadcasting Station that travels around the nation,exploring the connections between people and agriculture by sharing seed origin stories with communities.

The show opened on April 29 at the State Capitol’s Rotunda Gallery (490 Old Santa Fe Trail, 505-986- 4589) and has interactive components, informational displays, and handouts on climate change, gardening, composting, and related subjects. The reception for

is at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 6, at the Capitol. Events at the reception include a SeedBroadcast-sponsored seed exchange, an interactive performance by artist Sara Molina that involves weaving an vessel with willows taken from the Gila River, and composting demonstrations by Reunity Resources, a New Mexico-based non-profit organization that promotes zero waste and recycling programs. The exhibition is on view through Aug. 5. — Michael Abatemarco