Article Source: Scene Stirling
Last Updated: 12 May 2022 9:47
An all-new climate change exhibition opens at Stirling’s Tolbooth gallery this Friday (13 May) featuring the eclectic work of Scene Stirling’s Climate Change Cohort.
Produced in direct response to COP26, Creative Ecosystems continues the debate by offering fresh perspectives on the global crisis – ranging from harrowing and hard-hitting, to humorous and hopeful.
Manager of Scene Stirling Kevin Harrison said: “Installations and exhibits about climate change are nothing new, but this innovative, immersive exhibition by our climate cohort challenges audiences to see the crisis in new ways.
“From poetry recounting the first-hand experience of devastating West African wildfires, to performance art poking fun at the West’s obsession with consumption.
“But that’s not all. To coincide with the curated exhibition, the cohort will also be launching an online showcase of all their work where they’ll continue the climate conversation.”
The exhibition and website are the culmination of a collaborative project by five artists, each with their own take on the climate crisis: filmmaker Sean Hall, performance artists Kate Clayton and David Sherry, musician Rory Green and poet Ojo Taiye.
The cohort were mentored by artist, curator and peer-educator Jonathan Baxter. He said: “Working collectively, the cohort elected to build an ‘ecosystem’ of ideas, germinating concepts that balance disparate art practices, differing perspectives and contrasting experiences, coming together to create an ecological whole.
“Creative Ecosystems features drawings, poetry, original music and sound work, video, and performance in what promises to be a uniquely immersive and thought-provoking experience.”
The exhibition includes two short films by Sean Hall bringing to life the poetry of Ojo Taiye – a young Nigerian facing the harsh realities of climate change everyday in his homeland – accompanied by an original music composition by Rory Green.
Taiye, who uses his poetry to highlight the impact of climate change on minorities, said: “Even though Africa is estimated to produce just four percent of global emissions, compared to 80 percent by the most industrialized countries, it's the continent that pays the highest price. But our wrecked families, lands and livelihoods barely make the news cycle.
“Rather than articulate the climate crisis through graphs of Co2 levels and sea-level rise, I try as much as possible to act as an expert in my community’s lived experience of storms, flooding and famine.”
The Climate Commissions project pushed the group to challenge both their perspectives on climate change and push their artistic boundaries.
Sean said: “Working with the other members of the cohort, I’ve helped create several films which reflect on different aspects of the climate emergency. I’ve also participated in performance work, encouraged by David and Kate, which was totally new to me.
“Making work around the climate crisis isn't easy, not just practically but also emotionally. It can be tough thinking about the potential future, disheartening or quietly hopeful depending on the mood of the day. I think the variety of tones in the cohort's work is representative of that.
“Regardless of your outlook, for me the project has been a reminder of how important conversation and collaboration are in addressing many of those feelings around climate change and in making things happen.”
Creative Ecosystems runs at the Tolbooth Gallery from Friday 13 to Saturday 28 May, Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-5pm. Entry is free.
The online showcase launches on the same day at www.scenestirling.com/creative-ecosystems
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MOREWith a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.
READ MOREStirling Highland Games and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Forge Historic Partnership to Commemorate Stirling's 900th Anniversary.
READ MOREStirling’s Remembering Together project is set to host a celebration of community, creativity and the changing seasons on Thursday 2nd May in the heart of Cornton.
READ MORENow in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MOREStirling Council is thrilled to announce the creation of Stirling Studios, which will be among the biggest film studio campuses in Scotland.
READ MOREFamilies have been following a fascinating trail featuring life-size brick models of sea creatures around Stirling at the BRICKLIVE Ocean tour which runs until Sunday April 21st.
READ MORELatest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MOREThe Stirling Highland Games Committee is thrilled to announce that former Scotland International hooker Kevin McKenzie has been appointed as the Honorary Chieftain for the 2024 Games.
READ MORE17 year old Brodie Brown from Stirling goes head-to-head for ‘Song of the Year’ at The John Lennon Songwriter Awards despite life-long physical and mental health battles.
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MOREThis year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MOREJoin Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORENoughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MOREMacdonald Hotels, one of the UK’s most popular independent hotel groups, invites you to join them for an Easter break to remember.
READ MOREA mass gathering of heavy horses assembled at the home of Scotland’s iconic Kelpies structures today (Tuesday, March 26) in celebration of the forthcoming 10th anniversary.
READ MOREDobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MOREThe search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MOREThis year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MOREA host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MOREA range of Stirling’s outstanding independent business owners were rewarded with trophies last night at the city’s annual Business Awards.
READ MORESpring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MOREFull cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MOREDobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MOREA sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland is going hopping mad for Easter and hosting a bumper 35 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care this spring.
READ MOREStirling’s business community is getting ready to celebrate at the city’s annual awards for independent traders.
READ MOREExcavation work on a Pictish stone of potential ‘international significance’, discovered buried in a cemetery near Doune, will begin within the next fortnight.
READ MORE