Can artists humanise the global environmental challenge?
Yes they can!
Since 2003, groups of artists, writers, & scientists
have been sailing to the Arctic to experience
the effects of climate change first hand. No doubt the
coolest - in every sense of the word - artistic responses
to the climate challenge today, these expeditions,
intend to 'stimulate the production of art founded in scientific research' and move the cultural, social, and economic problem of climate change beyond scientific debate...
Yes they can!
US-based EcoArts, partners with science, environmental, arts
and other organizations to offer a wide variety of events that also
include theatre performances. Reaching across various fields, EcoArts’
events range from tours of wind turbine blade factories, to talks by Inuit
elders, to performance pieces co-created by scientists and artists...
Yes they can!
On March 16, 2008, in more than 40 cities around the world, groups of
people created theatre events in their communities to address the issue
of global warming. Groups varied in size and experience level and performed
in schools, universities, shopping centres and outdoor venues -
often addressing local issues such as the negative impact of
logging on agriculture and livestock (Lahore, Pakistan) and the
systematic disinformation on global warming in Turkey (Istanbul).
Breaking the fourth wall, performers invited audience members to
create the play with them, effectively involving those most
affected by the problems to help design solutions.
The idea of engaging artists for their ability to
communicate on a human scale the urgency of large-scale
problems is not new. Through their work, artists can raise
awareness, facilitate dialogue, and empower people by
inviting them to imagine their own solutions.
Perhaps it is not enough just to offer incentives for the creation of
green jobs, just to establish trading initiatives, or just to encourage
people to recycle. For any change to be both effective and
permanent everyone must participate in the solution.
Could it be the artistic community will be key
to making that change happen?
Since 2003, groups of artists, writers, & scientists
have been sailing to the Arctic to experience
the effects of climate change first hand. No doubt the
coolest - in every sense of the word - artistic responses
to the climate challenge today, these expeditions,
intend to 'stimulate the production of art founded in scientific research' and move the cultural, social, and economic problem of climate change beyond scientific debate...
Yes they can!
US-based EcoArts, partners with science, environmental, arts
and other organizations to offer a wide variety of events that also
include theatre performances. Reaching across various fields, EcoArts’
events range from tours of wind turbine blade factories, to talks by Inuit
elders, to performance pieces co-created by scientists and artists...
Yes they can!
On March 16, 2008, in more than 40 cities around the world, groups of
people created theatre events in their communities to address the issue
of global warming. Groups varied in size and experience level and performed
in schools, universities, shopping centres and outdoor venues -
often addressing local issues such as the negative impact of
logging on agriculture and livestock (Lahore, Pakistan) and the
systematic disinformation on global warming in Turkey (Istanbul).
Breaking the fourth wall, performers invited audience members to
create the play with them, effectively involving those most
affected by the problems to help design solutions.
The idea of engaging artists for their ability to
communicate on a human scale the urgency of large-scale
problems is not new. Through their work, artists can raise
awareness, facilitate dialogue, and empower people by
inviting them to imagine their own solutions.
Perhaps it is not enough just to offer incentives for the creation of
green jobs, just to establish trading initiatives, or just to encourage
people to recycle. For any change to be both effective and
permanent everyone must participate in the solution.
Could it be the artistic community will be key
to making that change happen?
Views: 68
Add a Comment
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Comment by Deborah Powell on June 18, 2009 at 9:23
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..ah yes, but surely trees with a mission this time!
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Comment by Michael Kelligan on June 18, 2009 at 4:13
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We used to be asked to be trees. Now it's a global environmental challenge. Same thing I suppose.
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