Micha Cárdenas’ Artistic Response to Climate Catastrophe at Nuit Blanche

Micha Cárdenas, an associate professor and multimedia artist, raises awareness of climate catastrophe through her exhibition “Probability Engine: Atlantic Overturning” launched at Nuit Blanche in Toronto. Inspired by alarming climate reports, the exhibition features interactive sculptures and an augmented reality app, urging visitors to envision a more just future. Cárdenas emphasizes art’s power in highlighting the urgency of climate change and inspires collective action against impending disasters.

In late 2022, Tim Lenton, founding director of the Global Systems Institute, released a dire report highlighting imminent climate tipping points, including the potential collapse of ice sheets and a catastrophic shift in North Atlantic ocean currents. micha cárdenas, a distinguished Associate Professor of Critical Race & Ethnic Studies and Performance, Play & Design at the University of California, Santa Cruz, described Lenton’s report as “the scariest thing I have ever read… 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 of global warming, we could trigger multiple tipping points.” Currently, the Earth has warmed by 1.44 degrees Celsius, as noted by cárdenas, who also referenced a September 2022 essay published in “Science” that detailed various tipping points leading to compounded global disasters such as the dieback of the Amazon Rainforest and the thawing of Boreal Permafrost. To address these urgent climate concerns, cárdenas has launched a significant exhibition titled “Probability Engine: Atlantic Overturning,” which premiered on October 5 at Nuit Blanche, Toronto’s annual all-night celebration of contemporary art. This exhibition is expected to reach a vast audience; past events have attracted over 200,000 visitors annually. The exhibition is extended beyond the Nuit Blanche festivities until October 13, allowing for an immersive experience of climate collapse through interactive sculptures and virtual reality. “Probability Engine” employs visuals, sound, poetry, and augmented reality to forge a visceral experience of climate justice, while also prompting visitors to envision a more equitable future. Syrus Ware, the exhibition curator, emphasized the playful yet serious nature of the exhibition, which invites collaborative imagination regarding climate change solutions. The main feature of cárdenas’ exhibition, “Atlantic Overturning,” is a 15-foot-long curved sculpture that symbolizes the vital Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)—a critical global ocean current system facing potential collapse, as warned by various studies cited in a recent CNN report. This collapse poses severe threats to global ecosystems. For the creation of “Atlantic Overturning,” cárdenas collaborated with fellow artists Marcelo Díaz Viana Neto and Star-Hagen Esquerra. Previous components of the exhibit include powerful sculptures such as “The Probability Engine,” which allows viewers to witness possible futures regarding climate change; “Permafrost,” which confronts visitors with issues surrounding melting permafrost and methane release; and “The Last Piece of Antarctic Ice,” which addresses rising sea levels. Additionally, an augmented reality app complements the exhibit, providing insights into proposed architectural solutions to rising sea levels. cárdenas firmly believes in art’s capacity to catalyze social change. She notably collaborated on past projects like “Unstoppable,” which sought to produce protective clothing for Black trans women. Her present endeavor aims to elevate awareness regarding the inevitable collapse of ocean currents. The accompanying “Probability Engine” app features cárdenas’ poems, encouraging readers to become empowering “tipping points” for meaningful change. In her view, the Humanities play a critical role in contextualizing scientific findings for broader public understanding, helping individuals grasp the extensive implications of climate change, including its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities. Ultimately, cárdenas champions the idea that the emotional resonance of art can effectively engage the public, urging them to contemplate the profound feelings associated with loss and the need for collective action against climate disaster. “This exhibition is trying to say that we need to overturn the order that is creating this climate disaster,” she stated. The exhibition is supported by various organizations including the Arts Division, the Center for Coastal Climate Resilience, Nuit Blanche, and the Anonymous Was a Woman award.

The article discusses the alarming status of climate change as highlighted in a report by Tim Lenton, which emphasizes imminent tipping points that could lead to catastrophic environmental consequences. It connects these scientific warnings to the creative work of micha cárdenas, who is using her exhibition “Probability Engine: Atlantic Overturning” as a platform to raise public consciousness about climate change through innovative artistic expression. Cárdenas situates her work within a broader discourse on climate justice, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and emotional engagement with the topic.

In conclusion, micha cárdenas’ exhibition “Probability Engine: Atlantic Overturning” serves as a pivotal artistic response to the urgent concerns raised in Tim Lenton’s report about climate tipping points. By integrating art with climate science, cárdenas seeks to mobilize public awareness and foster collective action towards addressing climate catastrophe. The exhibition not only highlights the critical state of ocean currents but also invites visitors to imagine equitable futures through immersive experiences that resonate emotionally and intellectually.

Original Source: news.ucsc.edu