Throughout the world artists are taking to the streets to creatively interpret the climate crisis. Street art can't be ignored; it's in public spaces, on public walls, not hidden in galleries. Art has the power to move the masses and get people to stop, think and ideally act on the greatest challenge of our time.
Artist statement: China consumes more coal than any other country in the world, using it for everything from electricity and producing steel to deadly indoor heating and cooking in some rural areas. With their unregulated mines, China's coal mines are also fatal and thousands of people a year die due to explosions, cave-ins, and other disasters. Coal Pile is a conceptual commentary on the consequences of not only the dependence on coal, a limited resource, but the dangers that come for families who work with and use coal, ironically, to survive.
Credit: Liu Bolin/Eli Klein Fine Art
Artist statement: Zelida collaborated with 350.org and Greenpeace to design this simple, provocative poster exposing Los Angeles's dirty secret. Los Angeles, the 15th largest economy in the world, receives over 40% of its energy from dirty coal. Globally, the burning of coal is the largest contributor to climate change. Los Angeles is based in the proverbial "Sunshine State" and could easily switch to solar. We hung these posters in the windows of Los Angeles businesses who want LA's City Council to drop coal and switch to renewable energy. The number of LA businesses opposed to coal is 400 and growing. See quitcoal.org/la for more.
Artist statement: For this piece I informally interviewed 16 navajo co-workers and asked them to share with me the first thing that comes to mind when i say "coal." everyone acknowledged that the coal mined on the reservation is used to generate energy off the reservation for surrounding megalopolises like denver, phoenix, albuquerque and l.a. they found this arrangement to be problematic. With the exception of the flagstaff installations, the installations were done on the reservation. i wanted to place them in areas highly trafficked by local people, people who work at the coal mine and the large tourist population passing through the reservation between monument valley and the grand canyon.
Artist website: speakingloudandsayingnothing.blogspot.com.
Cy Wagoner, Averian Chee, Corey Begay of the Black Sheep Art Collective
Artist statement: The backdrop of this mural illustrates the coal industry's cycle of pollution and filth. The focus of the piece is on the kneeling youth—embodying the innocence and inner strength that resides in the next generation. It is up to us to stop current industrial practices that only bring sickness to the earth and to our families. Ha'jólnìigo is a Navajo word that means "to overcome/achieve a goal with inner strength." It refers to the inner strength that is required to overcome the deep obstacles we encounter in life. The mural will be showcased in a public school on a Navajo reservation. Students can follow the more scientific explanation of coal extraction, combustion, and consumption while recognizing their role as leaders in the new era of renewable energy. The mural is complimented with a film by Raechel Running.
Photo credit: Raechel Running.
Artist website: picasaweb.google.com/cytsidi/BlackSheepARTCollective2011
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Video: coming soon...
Artist statement: The issue of Hydraulic Fracturing is an issue that affects all Americans, whether they support it or oppose it. I chose to use the Bison as my subject because of its deep roots in our American culture. This Bison is suffering from the side effects of the chemicals that pollute the groundwater in the areas exposed to Hydraulic Fracturing. Many livestock are exposed to these chemicals and suffer from hair loss, sickness, weight loss and death. This isn't just my attempt to look at the issues around these farm animals, but the deeper issue of how human consumption of this water is imminent as are the sicknesses associated with it. In addition, gas produced via fracking emits more climate detrimental greenhouses gases than coal.
Artist website: jessehazelip.com
Artist Statement: Coming soon.
Photo credit: Martha Cooper.
Produced by: Wynwood Walls.
Artist website: flickr.com/groups/roa/ + Wynwood Walls
Artist statement: "Insert__Here" is an interactive public art project conceived by Eve Mosher and realized with 350.org. The project capitalizes on community awareness of place and optimism around climate change solutions. The project invites people to place bold yellow "Insert_Here" arrows in locations in their community where they want to "insert" a climate change solution. For example "Insert bike lane Here" "Insert community garden Here", "Insert solar panels Here", Insert trees Here". By placing these arrows along people's daily migratory paths, individuals and groups can share their proposed solutions with the greater community. The mural is complimented with a light projection by Paul Notzold and a film by Ryan Murdock.
Artist website: insert-here.org
Video: vimeo.com/29246605
Artist statement: my theme was solar energy and the massive potential we have for solar power here in southern africa. amongst all our problems we still face here in south africa and other parts of africa, a solution like this is our key. but most people are not even aware of the potential. my mural is not aimed at being a clear message or reminder but rather a simple poem or wish for us to "wake up to the sun" to change tomorrow. The mural is complimented with a film by jared ginsburg.
Artist website: freddysam.com
Artist statement: This painting represents a choice between further exploitation of the earth or a move towards sustainable living. The child emerging from the centre refers to the future generations who will benefit from the choices and actions that are made today. The film follows the creation of and processes involved in the making of the painting, interspersed with footage of the effects and solutions to climate change.
Artist website: jonathandarby.com
Video: vimeo.com/29317164
Artist statement: TEACH addresses the need for the leaders of today to join together with younger generations to explore different solutions to the climate crisis. This means thinking outside the box about solutions that will make bigger positive impacts on future generations. It's crucial we teach children new ways of thinking to show another world is possible. In order to do this, we must come together, listen to one another and learn from one another in order to ensure we have a world for future generations.
This art piece was created in collaboration with Wall Space, White Walls Gallery, Colin M Day and the children of Redding Elementary School, San Francisco. The mural is complimented with a film by Colin M. Day.
Photo Credit: Gareth Gooch.
Artist website: einesigns.co.uk/diary
Video: vimeo.com/29443999
Artist statement: "Open Your Eyes" focuses on the important role advertising plays on determining human consumption patterns, and thus, climate change. The mundane advertisements that bombard our daily lives are the very real outposts of an economic philosophy based upon constant consumption and constant growth. Such a philosophy has proven itself incompatible with sustaining life on this planet. It is time to open our eyes to this epidemic of contrived greed and envision the world as pregnant with endless other possibilities.