Moren Expanding Beyond His Ecosystem

Ben Moren ’10 will be releasing a book of his work, participating in a discussion series at the Mia, and presenting his work at the Grand Marais Art Colony.

Moren's book Reference Ecosystem: Lost 40 is based on his project of the same name, which uses artificially generated forests trained on thousands of images from northern Minnesota's Lost 40 Scientific and Natural Area to find a pathway to digitally re-grow the forest using whatever little present reference materials exist. The project seeks to draw focus on the loss of the growth forest during Minnesota's logging boom, while additionally placing them within the context of the current climate crisis.

In addition to Reference Ecosystem, Moren, along with two other people, will also give a talk at the Minneapolis Institute of Art's Pillsbury Auditorium, as part of the McKnight Visual Artist Discussion Series. Moren will also be exhibiting his work at the Grand Marais Art Colony's summer exhibition Air Openness. A new 16mm film of his Breathing Wilderness, will be installed, as well as his White Oak Listener device.

Reference Ecosystem: Lost 40 Book Launch
April 15, 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Midway Contemporary Art Library (Minneapolis)

McKnight Visual Artist Discussion Series
April 20, 6:30pm
Pillsbury Audiotorium, Minneapolis Institute of Art (Minneapolis)

Grand Marais Art Colony: Air Openness
On view May 26 – August 26
Grand Marais Art Colony Studio 21 (Grand Marais)

Learn more

• Moren's website
• Reference Ecosystem: Lost 40 pre-order page
  • Reservations for launch event at Midway Contemporary Art Library
• Reservations for McKnight Visual Artist Discussion
• Grand Marais Art Colony "Air Openness" event link
• Moren To Participate In International Thematic Residency
  (mcad.edu — November 14, 2022)
• 2021 McKnight Visual Artist Fellow: Ben Moren
  (mplsart.com—April. 8, 2023)