Anita Lam's "Happy Zoo" series challenges traditional notions of zoos and our relationship with animals, inviting viewers to rethink their assumptions about captivity, empathy, and conservation. The adaptive multimedia exhibition invites us to explore the complexities of urban ecosystems and the power dynamics between humans and wildlife.
In "Wild Togetherland," Lam's latest iteration of the series currently on view at GATE33 Gallery in Hong Kong, she asks a provocative question: where do we belong in the ecosystem of a city? Urban wildlife becomes a quiet mirror, reflecting our role as a society and prompting us to reconsider our impact on the natural world.
The exhibition features works by collaborating artists like Ruby Maky, Stickyline, and Carnovsky, who use humor, absurdity, and playfulness to provoke reflection and encourage empathy with animals. Lam's approach is not overly academic or depressing but rather playful and mischievous, emphasizing emotional connection as the first step toward behavioral change.
Lam, co-founder of ALAN (Artists who Love Animals and Nature), a Hong Kong-based nonprofit, argues that artists have a special role to play in addressing environmental issues. Artists can express emotions, experiences, and warmth through their work, opening up space for reflection and encouraging people to think for themselves.
The series' inspiration stems from Lam's own experiences growing up in zoos and aquariums, which sparked her interest in how our relationship with animals has been shaped over time. Reading John Berger's "Why Look at Animals?" was a turning point, making her question the cultural values and power dynamics that govern our interactions with wildlife.
Lam emphasizes the importance of finding empathy with animals within ourselves as a way to reframe how we relate to each other as humans. This empathetic connection can serve as a mirror, highlighting issues like power imbalance and encouraging us to adopt more just and equitable approaches to coexisting with nature.
The "Happy Zoo" series is designed to be adaptable and scalable, allowing for local collaboration and community engagement in different cities and contexts. By inviting ideas, stories, and artworks to travel, Lam's project creates a cultural exchange that celebrates diversity without captivity.
For young artists interested in engaging with conservation but unsure how to begin, Lam advises finding what genuinely moves you, staying true to your own experience and values, and cultivating genuine passion behind your work.
In "Wild Togetherland," Lam's latest iteration of the series currently on view at GATE33 Gallery in Hong Kong, she asks a provocative question: where do we belong in the ecosystem of a city? Urban wildlife becomes a quiet mirror, reflecting our role as a society and prompting us to reconsider our impact on the natural world.
The exhibition features works by collaborating artists like Ruby Maky, Stickyline, and Carnovsky, who use humor, absurdity, and playfulness to provoke reflection and encourage empathy with animals. Lam's approach is not overly academic or depressing but rather playful and mischievous, emphasizing emotional connection as the first step toward behavioral change.
Lam, co-founder of ALAN (Artists who Love Animals and Nature), a Hong Kong-based nonprofit, argues that artists have a special role to play in addressing environmental issues. Artists can express emotions, experiences, and warmth through their work, opening up space for reflection and encouraging people to think for themselves.
The series' inspiration stems from Lam's own experiences growing up in zoos and aquariums, which sparked her interest in how our relationship with animals has been shaped over time. Reading John Berger's "Why Look at Animals?" was a turning point, making her question the cultural values and power dynamics that govern our interactions with wildlife.
Lam emphasizes the importance of finding empathy with animals within ourselves as a way to reframe how we relate to each other as humans. This empathetic connection can serve as a mirror, highlighting issues like power imbalance and encouraging us to adopt more just and equitable approaches to coexisting with nature.
The "Happy Zoo" series is designed to be adaptable and scalable, allowing for local collaboration and community engagement in different cities and contexts. By inviting ideas, stories, and artworks to travel, Lam's project creates a cultural exchange that celebrates diversity without captivity.
For young artists interested in engaging with conservation but unsure how to begin, Lam advises finding what genuinely moves you, staying true to your own experience and values, and cultivating genuine passion behind your work.
. I mean, don't get me wrong, animals are awesome and all, but let's be real, we're humans too. We need some space from the wild and can't just live in harmony with every creature 24/7. And what's up with the whole "we belong in the ecosystem of a city" thing? I'm not sure that's a realistic expectation 
. Plus, I'm not sold on this "empathy is key" vibe... how do we really know if our emotional connection to animals translates to actual behavioral change? 
I mean, who knew zoos could be so... zoo-less? 
The way she invites us to rethink our relationship with animals is like asking if cats are secretly judging us while we're scrolling through our phones. I'm team cat, tbh . But seriously, it's dope how artists can use humor and absurdity to make us think about the impact of human actions on wildlife. And Anita Lam's all about finding that empathy within ourselves - that's like finding the secret sauce to making pizza 
. I'm down for a city-wide conversation about where we belong in the urban ecosystem, as long as there's pizza involved 
!
I think it's so cool that Anita Lam is using her art to challenge our assumptions about zoos and animals. The idea of cities as ecosystems is so relevant in today's urban jungle 
. I love how she's bringing together artists who are making us laugh, think, and feel things together 
. It's not just about the art itself but also about sparking a conversation that makes us rethink our place in nature. And I gotta say, her approach is super inspiring - using empathy as a starting point for change 
. If more people took a page from her book and started connecting with animals on a deeper level, we might just see some amazing shifts in the way we treat wildlife 
. Like, we're always told about the importance of conservation, but have you ever stopped to think about why we put animals in captivity in the first place? Its like, we need to rethink our assumptions and consider how our actions affect the world around us 
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. Its like, we need more of this kind of creative thinking when it comes to conservation and sustainability!
anita lam's approach is super refreshing - using humor and playfulness to spark empathy and connection rather than just lecturing or preaching about conservation. it's interesting how art can be such a powerful tool for change, especially when it comes to emotional connection and behavioral shifts 
. We need more of this kind of work that encourages us to rethink our relationship with animals and the natural world 
I mean, who doesn't want to rethink their assumptions about captivity and empathy? But at the same time, some of these artworks can be kinda dark and thought-provoking... it's like they're trying to make you question everything! 
Let's keep having these conversations! 
, BUT LAM'S WORKING HARD TO CHANGE THAT MINDSET AND GET US TO FEEL MORE EMOTIONAL CONNECTION WITH THE ANIMALS 
. IT'S NOT ALL FUN AND GAMES, THOUGH - SHE'S TALKING ABOUT POWER DYNAMICS AND IMPACT ON THE NATURAL WORLD, WHICH IS PRETTY HEAVY STUFF 
. BUT I THINK THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT SO IMPORTANT: WE NEED TO START SEEING OURSELVES AS PART OF THE ECOSYSTEM TOO 
I mean, who wouldn't want to think about where we belong in the city ecosystem? It makes me wonder if we're more like animals than humans. Anita Lam's approach is really clever - using humor and playfulness to make us think about our relationship with wildlife. I'm not sure I agree with her idea that artists can solve environmental issues all by themselves, but she does bring up a good point that art can inspire empathy. What if we could just imagine what it's like to be an animal in the city? 
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. I mean, what about all the complex socio-economic factors that contribute to urban wildlife issues? Do we really just need to "find empathy" for animals without addressing the root causes of our environmental problems? 
The more I think about it, the more I realize that we need to fundamentally change how we relate to animals and the world around us. We can't just keep living in this bubble of 'us versus them' - we need to find a way to live in harmony with nature. And that's what the Happy Zoo series is all about, right? Encouraging empathy and changing our perspective... 
. That way, you're not just creating art for the sake of art, but because it genuinely matters to you 
. It's so easy to get caught up in the science and facts of conservation, but Lam is reminding us that emotions play a huge role in our relationship with animals and the natural world. By cultivating empathy and compassion, we can start to make more just and equitable approaches to coexisting with nature.