Cultural Power and the Anthropocene: at the intersection of Art and Ecology

Cultural Intermediaries, the gatekeepers and tastemakers of society, perform a serious and profound task as they operate within the culture realm and legitimise social difference and establish the hierarchy of taste (Bourdieu 1984). They may transform how we view the world, but their work goes beyond the culture of ‘now’ into our historical narrative. They establish our culture practices determining our preference in literature, painting and music (Bourdieu 1984). Their authority extends beyond the arts into the sciences. Consequently their work at the intersection of art and ecology may be of paramount significance in our understanding and appreciation of both disciplines.
However the work of cultural intermediaries are often historically hidden in both the commercial and public sectors, but their impact has been key to a number of historical theories and cultural movements. Their work can have both positive and negative effects on our cultural narrative of the environment. Given their significant role it is imperative that their articulation of culture be understood. They may have the power to mobilize consumers to a greener more sustainable future; therefore without their influence it is unlikely that ecological mitigation responses will be effective. This is particularly relevant when we consider human impact on biodiversity and subsequent regime shift, which is occurring within the current epoch of the anthropocene.