Event
Festival of the Future COP26 Series – Creative Responses to Climate Change
Thursday 28 October 2021
Join us for a discussion around some of the key issues around climate change and how creativity will be at the heart of finding solutions.
In the lead up to COP26 join us for a series of four events where we will discuss some of the key issues around climate change. Join us as we look at how creativity will be at the heart of finding solutions to climate change. Booking essential.
Creative Responses to climate change will present the work of four people who are connecting the power of the visual arts to enhance our understanding of climate change. Reflecting on the devastating reality facing our cities, food, water and extreme environments, many contemporary artists are using their work as a platform to raise awareness and imagine a more sustainable future. This session will hear about world-leading climate change projects from individual works to mass public events that enrich dialogue, deepen connections and motivate action.
Dr Kieran Baxter (Lecturer in Communication Design, DJCAD, University of Dundee) will discuss creative approaches to landscape visualisation with examples from his work in Southeast Iceland; his stark images and film of glacier recession reveals the extent of the unfolding climate crisis year by year. Kieran’s film ‘After Ice’ is nominated for best Climate Emergency Film of the Year @AHRCpress.
Angus Farquhar (Creative Director of Aproxima Arts) will introduce Dandelion, a unique approach to community growing incorporating music, future food technology and nationwide harvest festivals; demonstrating the power of collective action in one of Scotland's largest 'grow your own' initiatives of modern times.
Prof. Tania Kovats (Professor in Drawing, DJCAD, University of Dundee) will reveal the journey of her beautiful ‘Relay4Nature baton’ which is being carried by boat to COP26 by The Ocean Race; the work shines a spotlight on Ocean’s wellbeing through collaboration, ocean leaders, innovators, and advocates. The baton aims to arrive in Glasgow in late October 2021.
Dr Husam Al Waer (Reader in Sustainable Urban Design, DJCAD, University of Dundee) will explore the ‘Twenty Minute neighbourhood’ where people access most daily needs within 20 minutes of their home; is this a welcome or effective way to organise urban life, reduce commuting lengths and transport demand, and promote local neighbourhood identity, health and livability?
The event is chaired by Prof. Mel Woods (Professor of Creative Intelligence, DJCAD, University of Dundee) whose projects include The GROW Observatory and Making Sense.
This session will also include a final closing panel discussion around the crosscutting themes of water, food, energy and creative responses from all 4 COP26 Series events.
Title of photo: An Empty Gunny Bag Cannot Stand
Credit: Aproxima Arts