As the founder and director of the Climate Museum, the first museum in the US dedicated to climate change, I wholeheartedly agree that art plays a crucial role in driving us towards climate justice (‘It’s positive, not apocalyptic’: can climate change art help save the planet?, 24 July). However, contrary to what this article suggests, our experiences at the museum, where we utilize arts programming to foster individual and collective climate engagement, have shown that art doesn’t necessarily have to be positive or cheerful to inspire progress and determination.
Our last exhibition featured a captivating climate artwork called “Someday, all this” by David Opdyke, a monumental postcard mural. This piece presents an apocalyptic vision of the future, depicting a world where catastrophic floods, fires, and ecosystem disruptions drive everyone to seek refuge elsewhere. Yet, despite its dystopian tone, the artwork remains profoundly beautiful, filled with intriguing details and even a touch of science fiction, along with a dose of dark humor (such as a giant moth destroying a Musk Mars rocket). Remarkably, it managed to captivate and engage thousands of visitors, leaving them not disheartened, but rather motivated to take action against climate change.
The article refers to an instance where visitors to an art installation gradually stopped tracking their own emissions over time, as suggested. However, perhaps the issue lies in the specific call to action itself. We are all entrenched in a fossil fuel economy, and it is systemic changes, not just individual actions, that can halt the perilous combustion of coal, oil, and gas. Monitoring our personal emissions can often make us feel both ashamed and powerless. On the other hand, outward-facing actions, such as discussing climate change more frequently, can cultivate a tangible sense of community and determination, especially when framed as a collective endeavor.
Art possesses the remarkable ability to mobilize people towards civic activism on climate change, instilling a profound sense of agency within us. For it to have the greatest impact, it does not necessarily need to exude optimism, but it must possess aesthetic strength and captivate our interest, while also offering explicit suggestions for collective and civic action, rather than solely focusing on individual and consumer choices.
Miranda Massie
Director, The Climate Museum
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
