The Philosophy of Art and Environment

By Abby Haight, The Oregonian

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What is the role of artists in a time when environmental degradation and climate change threaten the world?

Philosopher and environmentalist Kathleen Dean Moore will examine that question at 6:30pm March 10 at Swigert Commons, PNCA, Portland, Oregon as part of the Alfred Edelman Design Lectureship of the Pacific Northwest College of Art.

Moore, distinguished professor of philosophy and University Writer Laureate at Oregon State University, is an essayist and activist and recently co-edited "Rachel Carson: Legacy and Challenge," a collection of essays about Carson's work as a writer and scientist. Moore teaches environmental ethics, Native American philosophy and a field course on the philosophy of nature at OSU and serves on the board of directors for the Orion Society and for the Island Institute in Sitka, Alaska.

Her collection of lyric essays, "The Pine Island Paradox," explores how the human love for family and friends extends to nature and place. Moore's first book of essays, "Riverwalking: Reflections on Moving Water," considers love, loss, aging, marriage and happiness in context with the waters that flow through the West.

The lectureship, founded in honor of former PNCA 3D Design instructor Alfred Edelman, was created to enhance students' understanding of the visual world, to look at subjects seemingly dissimilar from art and to spark lively classroom discussions.