🌡️Art and Climate Change Unit 6 – Climate Change in Contemporary Art

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Anthropocene refers to the current geological epoch characterized by significant human impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems
• Climate change art encompasses various artistic practices that address the causes, effects, and societal responses to global climate change
• Eco-art is a broader term that includes environmentally conscious art not limited to climate change issues
• Sustainability in art involves using environmentally friendly materials and minimizing the carbon footprint of artistic production
• Greenwashing describes the practice of falsely promoting environmentally friendly practices or products for marketing purposes
  • Artists must be cautious not to inadvertently engage in greenwashing through their work
• Solastalgia is a term coined by philosopher Glenn Albrecht to describe the emotional distress caused by environmental change
• Cli-fi, short for climate fiction, is a literary genre that explores the potential consequences of climate change through speculative narratives

Historical Context of Climate Change in Art

• Early environmental art emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, with artists like Robert Smithson and Helen and Newton Harrison addressing ecological concerns
• The 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro marked a turning point in global awareness of climate change, influencing artists to engage with the issue more directly
• In the early 2000s, artists began to incorporate scientific data and collaborate with climate scientists to create data-driven artworks
• The 2015 Paris Agreement and the subsequent IPCC reports have heightened the urgency of climate change in the art world
• The rise of youth climate activism, led by figures like Greta Thunberg, has inspired a new generation of artists to address climate change
• Recent extreme weather events, such as wildfires and floods, have become subjects of climate change art
  • Examples include Gideon Mendel's "Drowning World" series documenting flood-affected communities

Prominent Artists and Artworks

• Olafur Eliasson's "Ice Watch" (2014) transported melting glacial ice to city centers to raise awareness of climate change
• Maya Lin's "What is Missing?" (2009) is an ongoing multimedia project that highlights species loss and environmental degradation
• Edward Burtynsky's large-scale photographs, such as "Oil" (1999-2009) and "Anthropocene" (2018), document the human impact on the landscape
• Zaria Forman's hyperrealistic pastel drawings depict the beauty and fragility of ice landscapes threatened by climate change
• Jill Pelto's "Glaciogenic Art" series incorporates scientific data into watercolor paintings of glaciers
• Tue Greenfort's "Diffuse Einträge" (2007) is an installation that visualizes the effects of pollution on water ecosystems
• Eve Mosher's "HighWaterLine" (2007) used chalk to mark the projected flood levels in New York City due to sea-level rise

Artistic Techniques and Mediums

• Data visualization is a common technique in climate change art, using scientific data to create compelling visual representations
  • Examples include Chris Jordan's "Running the Numbers" series and Nathalie Miebach's woven sculptures
• Participatory art engages the public in the creation or experience of the artwork, fostering a sense of collective responsibility
  • Mary Mattingly's "Swale" (2016) is a floating food forest that invites community participation
• Site-specific installations often highlight the local impacts of climate change or engage with affected communities
  • Lena Dobrowolska and Teo Ormond-Skeaping's "Future Scenarios" (2015) used local residents' homes in Bangladesh to explore adaptation strategies
• Video and digital media are increasingly used to create immersive experiences and convey complex narratives
  • John Gerrard's "Western Flag" (2017) is a simulation of a flag made of black smoke, symbolizing the impact of oil production
• Sculpture and three-dimensional works can physically embody the effects of climate change
  • Courtney Mattison's ceramic coral reefs highlight the destruction of marine ecosystems
• Performance art can engage audiences emotionally and create a sense of urgency around climate action
  • Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner and Aka Niviâna's "Rise" (2018) is a poetry performance on a melting iceberg

Themes and Symbolism

• The Anthropocene is a recurring theme, emphasizing the human role in shaping the Earth's systems
• Melting ice and glaciers are common symbols of the impacts of global warming
• Rising sea levels and flooding represent the threat of climate change to coastal communities and ecosystems
• Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and wildfires, are used to convey the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters
• Species extinction and biodiversity loss symbolize the broader ecological crisis caused by climate change
• The carbon footprint and fossil fuel industry are often critiqued as major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions
• Climate justice and the disproportionate impacts of climate change on marginalized communities are increasingly addressed in contemporary art

Social and Political Impact

• Climate change art can raise public awareness and spark conversations about the urgency of the issue
• Artworks can emotionally engage audiences and foster a sense of connection to the environment
• Collaborations between artists and scientists can make complex climate data more accessible and compelling to the general public
• Art can inspire individual and collective action, encouraging viewers to adopt more sustainable practices
• Climate change art can put pressure on policymakers and corporations to address the issue more effectively
• Artworks can amplify the voices of communities most affected by climate change, such as low-lying island nations and Indigenous peoples
• Art can imagine alternative futures and propose solutions, contributing to the cultural shift necessary for a sustainable society

Critical Reception and Debates

• Some critics argue that climate change art is too didactic or lacks aesthetic value, prioritizing message over form
• Others question the effectiveness of art in driving real-world change, arguing that political action is more important
• The carbon footprint of art production and exhibition is a concern, with some artists and institutions seeking to minimize their environmental impact
• The commodification of climate change art in the market is a point of tension, with some arguing that it undermines the message of sustainability
• The representation of climate change in art is sometimes criticized for being too abstract or apocalyptic, failing to offer tangible solutions
• The role of art in climate communication is debated, with some advocating for more direct collaboration with scientists and activists
• Issues of inclusivity and diversity in the climate change art world are increasingly scrutinized, with calls for greater representation of marginalized voices

Future Trends and Emerging Artists

• The use of sustainable and biodegradable materials in art production is becoming more common
• Virtual and augmented reality technologies are being used to create immersive experiences of climate change impacts
• Collaborative and interdisciplinary practices, involving artists, scientists, and communities, are on the rise
• Indigenous artists are gaining recognition for their unique perspectives on climate change and traditional ecological knowledge
• Youth artists and activists are playing a growing role in shaping the climate change art discourse
• The intersection of climate change and social justice issues, such as migration and inequality, is a key focus for emerging artists
• Speculative and imaginative works that envision alternative futures are becoming more prominent, offering hope and inspiration for a post-carbon world