George Steinmann at COP21

“Symbioses of Responsibility”

WHERE
GRAND PALAIS, PARIS BOURGET, PARIS
COLUMBIA GLOBAL CENTERS PARIS

WHEN
Dec 4 – 10, 2015

Synopsis: The Project “Symbioses of Responsibility” is an exemplary indicator of sustainable art. The aim is to broaden the scientific and political debate on climate change with an aesthetic and artistic perception.

Symbioses of Responsibility, 2015

George Steinmann, Artistic-Observer at the intersection of the Visual Arts and Policy-Making at the COP21 in Paris.

PHASE ONE

• Preliminary research by artist George Steinmann concerning the issues of Climate Change. On the one hand, based on publications and reports set by the World Meteorological Organization WMO and the United Nations Environment Programme UNEP, on the other hand, based on the Assessment Reports and the Summary for Policymakers by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC.

• Preparatory conversations with Climate Scientists at the University of Berne and the Swiss Academy of Science, especially with Prof. Dr Thomas Stocker, on the physical science basis. Meetings with experts at Federal Office for the Environment FOEN Switzerland on a political basis.

• Field research / authentic encounters by the artist in the Swiss Alps under palaeoclimatic perspectives (glaciers, permafrost).

• Production of handmade paper produced with mineral water from the source Bonifazius in Scuol-Tarasp, Switzerland. The artist used the papers as a drawing pad during the COP21 Conference in Paris 2015.

PHASE TWO: COP21 PARIS

– Participation of George Steinmann at the COP21 Conference in Paris as an officially matriculated «Artistic Observer».

While attending the meetings, the artist produced sketches, mindmaps, drawings and photographs He participated in the interdisciplinary panel organized by ARTPORT_making waves and the Embassy of Switzerland in France at the Grand Palais (Solutions COP21), as well as Columbia Global Centers Paris.

PHASE THREE: POSTPRODUCTION

Reworking of the raw material gathered at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP21. Post-processing of drawings and mindmaps in the studio of the artist. Postproduction of photos and video/film.

PHASE FOUR: EXHIBITION

The exhibition is available for museums and exhibitions spaces worldwide.

STATEMENT GEORGE STEINMANN

The dialogue is the essence of the 21st century. We live in a globalised world, are completely interconnected and have access to infinite information. But all this is not enough if we do not find our way to a culture of mutual respect. Only mutual understanding of different views and perspectives allows for the solution of current problems. This is, in particular, relevant for the understanding of climate change.

Guided by the conviction that Art and Culture can change individual lives, strengthen social cohesion, bring about transformation and build bridges between communities, I believe that the Society, together with State Commissions, should include Art in the debate of future viability. The dialogue is the essence of the 21st century. We live in a globalised world, are completely interconnected and have access to infinite information. But all this is not enough if we do not find our way to a culture of mutual respect. Only mutual understanding of different views and perspectives allow for the solution of current problems. I, therefore, believe that Art, which adequately meets the challenges of our time, will have overcome its self-imposed isolation in the modern age. I not only want to respond with my Art, but enable networks of relationships. I am interested in dialogue and cooperation with the knowledge that the social reality in the 21st century has become too complex for us to afford the luxury of a disciplinary simplification.

Climate Change is a fact. But let me make one thing very clear: There is no time left for pessimism. We must act. Let’s work today for tomorrow’s world. If we care about our legacy for succeeding generations, this is definitely the time for decisive global action. We must galvanize political and personal will across and beyond all borders. To be successful we have to create “Symbioses of Responsibility”. This also indicates that we have to question our daily routine and practice Mitigation, Credibility, Frugality and Humility. I am convinced that a change towards an enduringly viable society is impossible without the knowledge that is imparted by art, with all its aesthetic and cultural dimensions. I want to say more: Artist’s have at their heart the task of transformation. We must work to resolve conflicts in a spirit of reconciliation. It involves a sense of compassion and caring. We have to reconcile with our mother earth. The answer to Climatic Change is within ourselves.

Extract of “Call and Response, George Steinmann in Dialogue”, Kunstmuseum Thun, 2014.