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Activism
“In recent decades, there has been a shift towards collectivitycritical art practices as activism, emphasising a (re)position of environmental responsibility from a decolonial and intersectional perspective. This toolkit embeds various forms of activism in every section. Creativity, imagination and specialised skills can significantly impact local and inter-local climate action projects and collective processes.
To achieve our common goals (e.g. reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 50% by 2030), we need a concerted effort. Artivist practices of collectives Critical Art Ensemble, Enmedio, Reclaim the Streets, ruangrupa, among many others, demonstrate how intersections, collaborations and creative skills may be the difference between achieving or not our common goals, and may be fundamental for creating other possible worlds. This is a call to action.”
- Araceli Gómez Castro, Artist and GCC Artist Toolkit co-author
Effective actions
Effective actions
Art
Art has the power to inform and change narratives surrounding the interlinked crises we face. Your critical art practice can be a powerful tool in this movement.
Get connected
Connect with climate action groups (e.g. Fridays for the Future, Extinction Rebellion, Culture Declares, etc.), people in your local area, or communities of shared self-identity (e.g. faith, occupation) to help build powerful movements.
Use what you have
Your creativity, imagination, and specialised skills are invaluable in supporting socio-environmental initiatives. Direct them towards catalysing the impact of local and inter-local climate action collectives and projects. As an example, Ajuntamientos Granada is a networked experiment organised by a collective of people - including artists - with common social and political aims.
Support rural initiatives
Support links between cities and ecological areas. Promote awareness and care of the natural environment. Connect with the land, the water, the air, the flora, the fauna, the human beings who support those rural areas.
Environmental Responsibility Rider Inclusions
Responsibility rider inclusions
Case study
Dan Edelstyn and Hilary Powell
Case study
Dan Edelstyn and Hilary Powell
Case study
The Lumbung Practice
Case study
The Lumbung Practice
The lumbung practice enables an alternative economy of collectivity, shared resource building, and equitable distribution. lumbung is anchored in the local and based on values such as humour, generosity, independence, transparency, sufficiency, and regeneration.
“After ruangrupa was invited to be the Artistic Direction of documenta fifteen, the collective, in turn, invited documenta to be part of its ekosistem. To this end, ruangrupa then established ruruHaus in Kassel as a local meeting point, living room, and laboratory. The collective is engaging intensively with Kassel’s ekosistem. Not only during but also leading up to and beyond the 100 days of the exhibition. Thus, in addition to the development of new sustainability models, the establishment of lasting relationships is at the core of this documenta.
For ruangrupa, lumbung is not a concept, but a practice. This practice changes dynamically through interactions between people. Therefore, documenta fifteen is not theme-based. It is not about lumbung, but it evolves together with lumbung. documenta fifteen is practising lumbung. This affects the artistic process, which is shaped collectively."
Case study
Louisa Buck and Fiona Banner
Case study
The Lumbung Practice
