Seven new climate-related art projects have received seed funding totalling $40,000 and are now in the first phase of research and development. 

The works are created by a diverse group of accomplished artists and scientists selected to be part of What if Climate Change was Purple?  that brought them together to share knowledge and create new works of art that inspire climate action.

Delivered by charity Track Zero, the project is supported by Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington Professor James Renwick using part of the Prime Minister's Science Communication Prize he received in 2018, and the University.

Rich in creativity and spanning a wide range of art forms - from dance, theatre and music to digital installations, poetry and an orchestral work - they aim to engage with a wide range of audiences from young people to the general public.

Renwick said, “These artworks are a unique way of communicating the urgent need to act now on climate change and its effects moving beyond traditional scientific graphs and stats. By connecting on an emotional level people can start to feel more inspired to be part of building a more sustainable and regenerative future. He added, “Every tenth of a degree of warming adds to the risks that undermine our way of life. One degree of warming is already giving us more intense extremes, but going beyond two degrees would bring about very damaging consequences. To halt the warming at no more than 1.5C, we must act now and give it everything we’ve got. By sharing ideas, working together, and telling stories about the future we want to see, we can do it.”

Former Director of New Zealand Festival and Auckland Arts Festival, and Track Zero Board member, Dr Carla van Zon, said, ‘Every experience in the arts makes a difference in our society. Our need for transformational change to tackle the climate crisis and build a better future for our tamaraki has never been greater.’ Van Zon added, “We need art to make our hearts leap, build bridges between people and places, and feed our imaginations to create a better future. Together we can make a big difference.”

Image: One of the seven projects receiving seed funding - acclaimed Kāi Tahu choreographer Louise Potiki Bryant is creating ‘Te Taki o te Ua/The Sound of Rain’, working with Paddy Free and Ariana Tikao and scientific advisors Dr Daniel Hikuroa and Dr Mike Joy. (Louise and the two scientists are part of the project, 'What if Climate Change was Purple?')

Images

Left – Louise Potiki-Bryant. Image credit: Jinki Cambronero

Centre – Dr Daniel Hikuroa. Image credit: supplied by Dr Hikuroa

Right – Dr Mike Joy. Image credit: supplied by Dr Joy

Visit: http://www.trackzero.nz/project/louise-potiki-bryant-with-dr-daniel-hikuroa-dr-mike-joy-other-artists/ for more project detail