Micha cárdenas, Associate Professor at UC Santa Cruz, recently launched her exhibition “Probability Engine: Atlantic Overturning” at Nuit Blanche in Toronto, responding to climate change warnings from Tim Lenton regarding critical environmental tipping points. The exhibition includes interactive sculptures and virtual reality experiences aimed at raising awareness of climate justice and resilience. Cárdenas emphasizes the power of art to evoke emotional responses and inspire collective action, situating her work as pivotal in the discourse surrounding the climate crisis.
In an urgent call to action regarding climate change, micha cárdenas, an Associate Professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, is using her art to illuminate the dire warnings of climate tipping points. Drawing on a grim report from Tim Lenton, the founding director of the Global Systems Institute, which predicted possible catastrophic shifts in our climate, cárdenas expressed her alarm, stating, “I just wanted to shout it from the rooftops. We are not just going to have warmer weather. We’re right on the edge of catastrophe. If we get to 1.5 degrees Celsius, we could trigger multiple tipping points.” The Earth is dangerously close to this threshold, currently sitting at 1.44 degrees above global mean temperatures, as indicated by cárdenas and corroborated by extensive scientific literature on the potential for severe environmental disruption. Cárdenas’s exhibition, “Probability Engine: Atlantic Overturning,” opened on October 5 at Nuit Blanche in Toronto, an event known for drawing vast audiences keen on contemporary art. This exhibition, which extends beyond its initial showcase until October 13, utilizes interactive sculptures and virtual reality to engage visitors in a visceral experience of climate justice. Exhibition curator Syrus Ware praised cárdenas’ work for creating an imaginative space reflecting both the seriousness of the climate crisis and the playful potential for collective action. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a 15-foot-long sculptural representation of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a critical system whose potential collapse due to climate change could have devastating consequences for ecosystems worldwide. Cárdenas, along with a collaborative team of artists, aims to convey these complex environmental themes through innovative artistic expressions that invite thoughtful reflection and emotional engagement. In addition to the main installation, visitors will encounter other sculptures illustrating various aspects of climate change, such as the melting of permafrost and rising sea levels, alongside augmented reality offerings that provide a glimpse into potential futures shaped by improved climate resilience practices. The transformative power of art is a central tenet of cárdenas’ work. She aims not only to inform but also to mobilize the audience towards collective resilience. “This could be an opportunity to change society,” she reflects, emphasizing the role of art in making complex scientific data accessible and relevant to wider communities. Cárdenas’ approach underscores the emotional weight of loss, struggle, and the need for rebellion against prevailing systems that precipitate climate disaster, asserting: “I think the power of art resides in reaching people on an emotional and affective level. Scientists try to reach people on a logical level.” The emotional connection she fosters through her art is designed to encourage visitors to envision positive, collective actions that can serve as tipping points for broader social change and climate justice.
The article pertains to a significant concern in contemporary discussions surrounding climate change, particularly the concept of climate tipping points, which are critical thresholds that, once surpassed, could lead to disastrous and irreversible environmental shifts. Tim Lenton’s report highlights these urgent predictions, signaling the need for immediate awareness and action. Artists like micha cárdenas leverage their platforms to engage the public in discussions around climate justice, making complex scientific data more accessible through artistic expression. This approach not only informs but also inspires emotional engagement and collective action towards mitigating climate impacts, illustrating the potential of art as a catalyst for social change.
Micha cárdenas’s exhibition, “Probability Engine: Atlantic Overturning,” serves as a vital artistic response to the urgent challenges posed by climate change. By transforming scientific findings into immersive art experiences, cárdenas effectively transcends the constraints of traditional communication, evoking emotional responses that can motivate societal shifts towards climate resilience. Her belief in the role of art as a conduit for change reinforces the necessity of incorporating creative perspectives in the discourse on environmental justice and collective action against climate catastrophe.
Original Source: news.ucsc.edu
