In Future Notes for De-Extinct Species, artist Jeremy Bolen presents a new, immersive exhibition of speculative documentary works that record our current climate crisis while simultaneously speculating on the optics and aesthetics of a possible geo-engineered future. Using ongoing efforts to bring back extinct species such as the passenger pigeon, dodo and wooly mammoth as a entry point Bolen uses his photo-based images, hybrid objects and sculptures to envision what these extinct species may encounter in a not to distant future, and questions the impact and possibilities of trying to bring defunct species back from the abyss.

These scenarios include a climate-engineering proposal dubbed solar radiation management, in which sulfur particles injected into the stratosphere would combat rising temperatures by reflecting sunlight away from the Earth’s surface. Mirroring the cooling effects of ash clouds caused by volcanic eruptions, the procedure could have many unpredictable and unfavorable consequences including whitening the daytime sky, obscuring our views of the stars and affecting crop production.

Additionally Bolen is incorporating new works which focus on quickly disappearing Great Salt Lake, largely caused by significant population growth and water mis-managment in Utah. The consequences of this would be severe as the lake is currently sequestering an array of toxic dust including arsenic.