Maya Lin: Empty Room Exhibit
Everyone can help stem the onslaught of specie extinctions.
Maya Lin is showing us how.
One of her proposals, related to her "What is Missing?" memorial, is presented as a challenge to art museum and science museum professionals. Her concept is immune to such excuses for non-participation as "No money." "No time." "Too much work."
Lin proposes to convey the impact of the disappearance of species from Earth by mounting an Empty Room exhibit!
Maya Lin’s “What Is Missing” videos have just been posted on line. Originally, they were projected to throngs of distracted pedestrians amid the clutter and clamor of Times Square in Manhattan – and still they were mesmerizing. Now they are viewable on your home computer. It is in this intimate, private, silent setting that the full impact of their haunting beauty, and the terrible sorrow it evokes, can be experienced. This melanchonly meditation on the sixth mass extinction of Earthly species lingers like haunting refrain. The loss of species is compounded by the loss of habitat. This work is not a momentary diversion from ordinary states of mind. It is capable of producing an enduring change of consciousness.
Besides the sheer poetry of the imagery and its accompanying score, this evocation is the product of scientific consultation, adding information about what scientists and environmental groups throughout the world are doing to protect species and habitatsbuilding to awareness about species loss. It also provides guidance so that each individual can help protect species and their habitats.
Thus What is Missing? is emotionally wrenching, but it also offers hope and purpose.