The Environmental Humanities: A View from Venice

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This course provides a site-specific introduction to the Environmental Humanities, a cross- disciplinary field that examines how humanistic knowledge, in dialogue with the natural and social sciences, can interpret and address the unprecedented environmental challenges facing our planet. Our lens is Venice, a city uniquely positioned at the intersection of ecological resilience and vulnerability. Once an ancient republic that thrived in harmony with its lagoon ecosystem, Venice is now a global tourist destination grappling with sea-level rise and climate change. At the same time, the city serves as a vital laboratory where science, art, and culture converge to research environmental impacts and propose innovative future scenarios.

The course begins with an overview of the Environmental Humanities as an evolving discipline, exploring its key concepts, methodologies, and relevance to contemporary crises. Using Venice as a case study, we will examine how both historical and contemporary art contribute to our understanding of ecological challenges. Specifically, we will engage with three iconic Venetian institutions—the Gallerie dell’Accademia, the Querini Stampalia Foundation, and Ocean Space—to investigate the role of art in: Offering unique perspectives on environmental crises; Cultivating awareness and inspiring action; Building new imaginaries for a sustainable future; Providing aesthetic and emotional responses to ecological threats. Through museum visits, critical discussions, and interactive case studies, this course highlights how art and culture can be powerful tools for fostering environmental understanding and resilience

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