Photograph by DDancer/artforthesky.com
From November 20-28, 350 EARTH launched the world’s first ever global climate art project. In over a dozen places across the globe, citizens and artists created massive public art installations to show how climate change is already impacting our world as well as offer visions of how we can solve the crisis. Each art installation was large enough to be seen from space and documented by satellites generously provided by DigitalGlobe.
350 EARTH was the first-ever global scale group show on the front line of climate change—our polluted cities, endangered forests, melting glaciers, and sinking coastlines. It took place on the eve of the United Nations climate meetings in Cancun, Mexico where delegates are working to create an international climate treaty. 350 EARTH demonstrates the public support for bold climate action and the role that art can play in inspiring humanity to take on our greatest challenge: protecting the planet on which we live.
“King Canute” by Thom Yorke — Brighton-Hove, UK
Photograph by Malcolm Land / Sealand Aerial Photography Ltd.
As part of the 350 EARTH planetary art show, over 2,000 people gathered in Brighton-Hove, UK and formed an image of King Canute, who futilely attempted to control the oceans according to legend. The image was
designed by Radiohead’s Thom Yorke who generously donated his time, energy, and art to make the event a success.
“Red Polar Bear” by Bjargey Olafsdottir — Langjokull Glacier, Iceland
Painted with red organic food dye on Langj?kull Glacier, Iceland.
Size approx 50×90 meters.
” data-medium-file=”https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/red-polar-bear-by-bjargey-olafsdottir-langjokull-glacier-iceland.jpg?w=300″ data-large-file=”https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/red-polar-bear-by-bjargey-olafsdottir-langjokull-glacier-iceland.jpg?w=799″ src=”https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/red-polar-bear-by-bjargey-olafsdottir-langjokull-glacier-iceland.jpg” alt=”red polar bear by bjargey olafsdottir langjokull glacier iceland 350 Earth: Worlds First Art Exhibit Visible from Space” class=”alignnone size-full wp-image-16210″ />
Photograph by Christopher Lund
Painted with red organic food dye on Langj?kull Glacier, Iceland.
Size approx 50×90 meters.
” data-medium-file=”https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/red-polar-bear-by-bjargey-olafsdottir-langjokull-glacier-iceland-2.jpg?w=300″ data-large-file=”https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/red-polar-bear-by-bjargey-olafsdottir-langjokull-glacier-iceland-2.jpg?w=799″ src=”https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/red-polar-bear-by-bjargey-olafsdottir-langjokull-glacier-iceland-2.jpg” alt=”red polar bear by bjargey olafsdottir langjokull glacier iceland 2 350 Earth: Worlds First Art Exhibit Visible from Space” class=”alignnone size-full wp-image-16212″ />
Photograph by Christopher Lund
Artist Bjargey Olafsdottir created a “Red Polar Bear” on the Langjokull Glacier in Iceland as part of the 350 EARTH planetary art show. The image is painted with red organic food dye approved for environmental use.
“Solar Scarab” by Sarah Rifaat — Cairo, Egypt
Photograph by Ahmed Hayman
In Cairo, Egypt, hundreds of students formed the image of a traditional Scarab beetle, a traditional symbol of rebirth and regeneration that was often depicted on temple walls pushing the ball of the sun across the sky. Using the scarab and the sun in this art piece is both a reminder of the integral part the sun has always played in Egyptian history, and a call for re-examining our modern relationship to this most abundant source of clean energy.
“Gal·la” by Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada — Delta del Ebro, Spain
Photograph by Foto-aerea.net for Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada
Photograph by Foto-aerea.net for Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada
Citizens from the Delta del Ebro region joined renowned urban-artist Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada to form a giant representation of the face of a young girl who wishes to see the Delta survive the threat of climate change.
“Flash Flood” by Santa Fe Art Institute — Santa Fe, USA
Satellite Image by Digital Globe
The Santa Fe EARTH event, showing how the Santa Fe River could look if there was water running through it. The Santa Fe River is one of the 10 most endagered rivers in North America. Over a 1,000 people came out and held up blue painted pieces of cardboard or tarps as a satellite passed over. The event was put on by 350.org and the Santa Fe Art Institute on November 20, 2010 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
” data-medium-file=”https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/flash-flood-by-santa-fe-art-institute-santa-fe-usa-2.jpg?w=799&h=532?w=300″ data-large-file=”https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/flash-flood-by-santa-fe-art-institute-santa-fe-usa-2.jpg?w=799&h=532?w=799″ src=”https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/flash-flood-by-santa-fe-art-institute-santa-fe-usa-2.jpg?w=799&h=532″ alt=”flash flood by santa fe art institute santa fe usa 2 350 Earth: Worlds First Art Exhibit Visible from Space” width=”799″ height=”532″ class=”alignnone size-full wp-image-16218″ srcset=”https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/flash-flood-by-santa-fe-art-institute-santa-fe-usa-2.jpg 799w, https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/flash-flood-by-santa-fe-art-institute-santa-fe-usa-2.jpg?w=150&h=100 150w, https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/flash-flood-by-santa-fe-art-institute-santa-fe-usa-2.jpg?w=300&h=200 300w, https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/flash-flood-by-santa-fe-art-institute-santa-fe-usa-2.jpg?w=768&h=511 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px” />
Photograph by Michael Clark
The Santa Fe EARTH event, showing how the Santa Fe River could look if there was water running through it. The Santa Fe River is one of the 10 most endagered rivers in North America. Over a 1,000 people came out and held up blue painted pieces of cardboard or tarps as a satellite passed over. The event was put on by 350.org and the Santa Fe Art Institute on November 20, 2010 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
” data-medium-file=”https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/flash-flood-by-santa-fe-art-institute-santa-fe-usa.jpg?w=532&h=799?w=200″ data-large-file=”https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/flash-flood-by-santa-fe-art-institute-santa-fe-usa.jpg?w=532&h=799?w=532″ src=”https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/flash-flood-by-santa-fe-art-institute-santa-fe-usa.jpg?w=532&h=799″ alt=”flash flood by santa fe art institute santa fe usa 350 Earth: Worlds First Art Exhibit Visible from Space” width=”532″ height=”799″ class=”alignnone size-full wp-image-16219″ srcset=”https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/flash-flood-by-santa-fe-art-institute-santa-fe-usa.jpg 532w, https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/flash-flood-by-santa-fe-art-institute-santa-fe-usa.jpg?w=100&h=150 100w, https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/flash-flood-by-santa-fe-art-institute-santa-fe-usa.jpg?w=200&h=300 200w” sizes=”(max-width: 532px) 100vw, 532px” />
Photograph by Michael Clark
The Santa Fe EARTH event, showing how the Santa Fe River could look if there was water running through it. The Santa Fe River is one of the 10 most endangered rivers in North America. Over a 1,000 people came out and held up blue painted pieces of cardboard or tarps as a satellite passed over. The event was put on by 350.org and the Santa Fe Art Institute on November 20, 2010 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
“Human Hurricane” by Pablo Caballero — Mexico City, Mexico
Photograph by Ricardo Villarreal T.
Satellite image by Digital Globe
Photograph by Ricardo Villarreal T.
More than 3,500 schoolchildren and members of the community came together in Mexico City’s Venustiano Carranza plaza on Monday November 22 to form a “human hurricane”, to represent Mexico’s vulnerability to climate change impacts like the devastating hurricanes that hit the states of Nuevo Leon and Veracruz earlier this year. The event was part of 350 EARTH, the world’s first climate change art project large enough to be visible from space. Organizers wished to send a message to world leaders gathering next week in Cancun, Mexico for the UN climate negotiations that climate impacts like more frequent and intense hurricanes are already happening, and that the time to act is now.
Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic
Satellite image by Digital Globe
Photograph by Marvin del Cid
In Dominican Republic hundreds of people in white gathered to raise their voices and commitment to the climate crisis. The message conveyed was the threat of sea level rise to an island nation as Dominican Republic and was part of one of the 350 EARTH events happening worldwide, a week before the climate negotiations. This day, November 21st, will always be remembered as the day that Dominicans came together for Planet Earth, our only home.
“350 EARTH Australia” by Keith Chidzey — Fowler’s Gap , Australia
Photograph by 350.org
“Solar Sun” by The Canary Project — Cape Town, South Africa
Photograph by Jade Wyatt-Holling
In Cape Town, South Africa, The Canary Project and local citizens created an enormous Solar Sun out of 70 high powered parabolic solar cookers with the “rays” being on the ground tables where the local community feasted on traditional food made in the solar cookers. After the event, the solar cookers were donated to the Khayelitsha community of Cape Town where many people do not have access to electricity. Each high powered parabolic cooker lasts for 10 years and requires no fossil fuels, saving money for families while also protecting their health and the environment.
“Solar Eagle” by Spectral Q — Los Angeles, USA
Photograph by Jeff Pantukhoff / Spectral Q
Photograph by Jeff Pantukhoff / Spectral Q
The Syllabic word accompanying the Solar Eagle means ‘Well Being’ in Inuktitut (Inuit language), which stands for ‘Harmony, Balance & Health,’ the Goal of our global efforts.
“Brazilian Flag” — Brazil
Photograph by 350.org
“350 Cool Roof” by Molly Dilworth — New York City, USA
Photograph by Steve Amiaga
Photograph by Steve Amiaga
In New York City, USA, artist Molly Dilworth, famous for painting a mural in the new Times Square Plaza, created a “Cool Roof” for a school by painting a lightly colored representation of the New York and New Jersey coastline after a 7 meter rise in sea levels.
“Climate Elephant” by Daniel Dancer — New Delhi, India
Photograph by DDancer/artforthesky.com
3,000 students and teachers at the Ryan International School in New Delhi along with volunteers from the Indian Youth Climate Network joined aerial artist Daniel Dancer to form an enormous elephant with rising seas below to ask world leaders to not ignore the “elephant in the room” — climate change.
For more information, images and videos please visit EARTH.350.ORG
If you enjoyed this article, the Sifter highly recommends: REBRANDING THE BP LOGO: THE 25 FUNNIEST AND MOST CREATIVE