“…in many fields an unorthodox approach opens doors and offers usable solutions that would not have been recognized in conventional modes of thinking, such as those of science, social work or ecology.”
WochenKlausur Artist Collective
Climate change will have a huge effect on our way of life. A complex problem, requiring simultaneous, multi-faceted action at every level of governance, business and civil society, it has proved extremely difficult to address.
Due to past and future greenhouse gases emissions, some amount of climatic change is now inevitable, with predictions for North West Europe focused on increase rainfall, increasing summer and winter temperatures, increasing sea levels, and increased frequency of extreme weather events (such as storms). These changes will create new challenges for our society, requiring new, innovative and unique solutions to help us adapt to our changed world.
Artists, designers and other creative practitioners who live and work through creative and cultural practices often work in a different way to established institutions in other sectors. These cultural methods of dealing with climate change, adaptation and sustainability, can therefore bring a new perspective, new skills, and new knowledge to such problems.
Placed within local governmental and established institutions, ‘Embedded Artists’ can help drive a systemic, integrated approach to issues of adaptation, ensuring that environmental and social sustainability are considered alongside economics and other pressures, facilitating wider participation and breaking down professional, departmental and disciplinary boundaries.
What will Cultural Adaptations produce?
Our Embedded Artists
One artist in each country is embedded within a partner organisation working specifically on climate change adaptation, providing new ways of thinking, fresh perspective and different approaches to the complex and seemingly intractable challenges that climate change presents.
As Cultural Adaptations is an action research project, each artist is undertaking varied tasks, working with different adaptation stakeholders in each of the four city-regions. More about each artists’ project and progress so far can be found below.
Are you looking to embed an artist in your adaptation work? Are you an artist interested in contributing to climate change adaptation?
Cultural Adaptations is a developing project and you are invited to send in relevant resources including blogs, case studies and tools for consideration. Stay up to date with opportunities to participate in the project and the upcoming events, and toolkit development by registering for updates.
