Climate change is not a question for the future; it is an ongoing crisis in the current world. While it can be argued that there is global concern about how to tackle the challenge collectively, this project takes a different approach, by focusing on the climate issue through the lens of individualism; thus, how an artist or a designer can contribute to the climate crisis through artwork and design.
Art and design are generally a two-way interaction; the artist and designer’s purposes are embedded in the artwork and designed object, although the emotions expressed are reactions based on the viewer’s personal and consumption experiences. Every single piece of art and design determines the uniqueness of feeling and reflection.
What do art and design mean to climate change? Every artwork and designed piece is unique in triggering emotions and documenting history. Artists and designers carry a duty of care and responsibility towards the climate crisis, and their creativity needs to advocate the resonance and awareness of climate change, even if the solution can only be achieved by a few generations.
This group name has been defined as ‘Eleutheria’, the goddess of Liberty from ancient Greece. Although the four group members are from completely different art and design disciplines, with distinct cultural backgrounds, however, there is a shared belief: freedom. A freedom to create artwork and design, and a freedom to speak out about the climate crisis. The other shared faith is that mankind’s desire to change nature, co-live with nature, and benefit from nature, is a topic for all humanity. The need to think and act as ancestors for future generations is significant: the worst catastrophes of climate crisis may occur in the future, but if action is taken now, we will also be the creators of the positive climate change consequences of the future.
We hope our research project will inspire everyone, motivating artists and designers to use their creative power to contribute to global climate change. The artwork and designed pieces are individualised, as each individual in the world has different emotions and perceptions of art and design. If every individual in the world collaborates and joins forces, could the world’s climate crisis be averted? The answer is Yes.
