The issue of HERITO quarterly dedicated to the relationship between humans and nature. Developed in exceptional conditions, between an epidemic, a fire in the Biebrza National Park and the forecasts of a summer drought, it made us even more aware of the need for contact not only with other people, but also with wild nature.
Lockdown intensified the longing for nature: we know that greenery de-stresses and relaxes, while viewing lush landscapes has a soothing effect. At the same time, however, we are deeply aware of the upcoming climate threats and challenges that will define the future of our planet in the coming months and years. Ultimately, this awareness gave shape to the “green” issue of HERITO, with its central bold thesis put forward by professor Ewa Bińczyk that “there may be no heritage.”The Anthropocene era is coming to an end before our eyes – an epoch of complete and mindless domination of man over nature. But is everyone aware of it? Are we aware of the consequences of the climate crisis? Or maybe it is worth taking a closer look, acknowledging its cultural consequences, and also more narrowly – how it will impact our everyday life in the years to come?
Should we get used to virtual walks in the forest and to listening recordings of birds singing? What kind of world will we leave to the next generations? These questions have been with us for a long time and we are happy that we could articulate them in the new issue of HERITO.
In the issue: Renata Lis, on the margin of Michał Korta’s photos, writes about “Festung Antropocene”, Ewa Bińczyk in an interview with Przemysław Witkowski forecasts that there may be no heritage, Urszula Zajączkowska describes the escape from the botanical garden, Bartosz Panek tells the story of the Polish air, and Paweł Romańczuk presents “bird music”, Małgorzata Grąbczewska looks at the history of nature photography in Central Europe, Janusz Sepioł visits the landscapes of Małopolska, Magdalena Petryna reviews nature books. We also publish an excerpt from Maja Fowkes’ book “The Green Bloc” about Central European neo-avant-garde art in the times of socialism, Bartosz Sadulski’s conversation with Karolina Lewandowska, curator at the Centre Pompidou, as well as exhibition announcements and reviews.
