Stop. Watch
Artists Address Ecological Emergencies



Simon Woolham, Severed, The Deracinator and The Isle, production still


Animate Projects and RSA Arts & Ecology, in partnership with Arts Council England and Channel 4, have commissioned seven artists to make short films for the internet that explore ecological themes.

The artists, from the UK, USA, Switzerland, Sweden and Korea, take diverse approaches, that consistently and powerfully challenge common perceptions and clichés of current debates about environmental crises and their human impact.

The films will premiere on the web in June 2008. Titles include D is for Dodo, by Jordan Baseman, an account of the last dodo in captivity, narrated against images of rural gasoline stations at night, and Make it Snow! Make it Snow! Make it Snow! by Many Luksch (below), which considers the use of snow cannons in winter tourism.



Manu Luksch, Make it Snow! Make it Snow! Make it Snow!, production still

Further information


INTRODUCTION

RSA Arts & Ecology supports the work of the arts in examining and addressing social and environmental concerns in an interdisciplinary and international arena. The entire programme is informed by the notion of ecology as the study of relationships between an individual and their cultural, social, political, economic and natural environments, and by the belief that the arts can play a central role in providing creative insights into the challenges facing contemporary society.

Initiated in April 2005, the programme has since consisted of a series of initiatives including conferences, ongoing discourse, international research trips, education pilots, artists’ projects and commissions, and a publication. The RSA is creating a growing network of groups and individuals concerned with the issues - alongside and working with other organisations who have similar concerns. These include Tipping Point, Cape Farewell and Arts Catalyst. More information about these projects can be found throughout this website.  

Second Phase of RSA Arts and Ecology
Over the next three years, the ambition of the RSA Arts & Ecology programme is to become an international hub and a portal to increase the level of information and exchange. The project will act as a catalyst in seeking to involve a far greater number of artists, while simultaneously supporting, profiling and helping develop the visibility of artists' work, sharing the outcomes and experience with others. RSA Arts & Ecology is working towards three inter related activities for this next phase of the programme:

ARTS & ECOLOGY ONLINE – in consultation with you, the RSA will develop an ambitious website to function as a major information hub and an international platform for discussion and a place for profiling work. The new site aims to bring more artists and organisations into the debate, provide commentary and original content. We will encourage an interdisciplinary exploration of the subjects to generate further dialogue in addition to current environmental information and debate. The site will also include an international events and activities diary. To contribute ideas on content and what you would like to see on the website do please e-mail art@rsa.org.uk

ARTS & ECOLOGY EXCHANGES
A series of Exchanges between artists and politicians, scientists, journalists to raise issues, bring different perspectives, talk across disciplines and animate the debate.

Click here to read more

ARTS & ECOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
A series of projects across the world which will be set up as partnerships. The narrative of these will be played out on the website to encourage further discourse and exchange.

Click here to read more

ARTS & ECOLOGY UK COMMISSIONS
Ongoing commissions which began in Phase One::

Bat House competition (initiated by Jeremy Deller)
Gulbenkian commissions
London Commission - Tue Greenfort

Click here to read more

Please visit the website regularly to stay informed or e-mail art@rsa.org.uk with the subject header ‘Mailing List’ to receive the RSA Arts & Ecology e-bulletins.

As concern mounts that the world is heading for some catastrophic disaster caused by pollution, climate change and the relentless pillaging of resources, it seems natural that artists will want to respond to this plight through their work.’

Ossian Ward, Time Out, December 2006 on an article devoted to RSA Arts & Ecology