Historically, extinction has been an accompanying phenomenon, if not the very foundation, of all evolution within the ecosystem of our planet Earth. Most species of animals and plants, from tiny marine organisms to large dinosaurs, no longer exist on our planet. Scientists estimate that at least 99.9% of all plant and animal species that have ever lived are now extinct.
Today, we are too preoccupied with the fleeting life before death, which slips away each year against the backdrop of promises of eternal life after death, propagated by various religions of our time. As a result, most of us fail to engage deeply enough with our responsibilities and the threats we face in the here and now.
Yet, we have already come close to the brink: According to a recent study, humanity as a whole once faced near extinction. Around 850,000 years ago, climatic changes caused the population of the ancestors of modern humans to dwindle by nearly 99%. It is estimated that from over 100,000 individuals, only about 1,300 remained.
Today, humanity faces the same problem again on a global scale: the threat of total extinction. What is new this time is that the problem is man-made. Our species is currently working more vigorously than ever toward its own demise, starting with the relentless exploitation of the Earth’s resources, the emission of hazardous gases and other waste products, and culminating in the technological capacity for global overkill. At present, the sheer destructive power available amounts to the equivalent of one ton of TNT per person on Earth.
Such dystopian scenarios can be found across all levels of human existence. Uncovering and visualizing them is the core of the artwork series "Are You Ready For Xtinction™". However, OA Krimmel's sculptures are never resigned; they always serve as a call to action. After all, 850,000 years ago, things turned out well in the end... ((click on the blue button))