Being Present: The Connection between Climate, Art, and Us

The majority of art practices are centered around vision, which leaves the full power of engagement to standby. The same goes for learning and, perhaps, even for inclusion for those with visual impairment. That’s how ‘I, Present’ started last year, during late August 2023, a research based project as a critical approach to explore how passive we remain while interacting with art only by the act of seeing. If we break the pyramid of the senses, where vision crowns itself, there are no senses above or below and we can find endless possibilities for rethinking ways of perception. A global perception. A meaningful connection between the art and the body and expanding the different experiences that the public has with art. That’s the most impactful, without a doubt, learning and wisdom experience of the body, with you being present as a whole.

This breakthrough of the senses creates accessible versions of artworks, and accessibility is the key factor for inclusion. It develops equality, greater engagement, raises awareness in and within the artwork, and you are the one that develops that. You are the only one that can activate the true meaning. Most of the time, rationalised art is what makes people feel like they don’t understand it. Like it is elitist, too complicated, you need to study for it, you need to have money...and that comes with “it is too exclusive and not inclusive enough”. But if we promote engagement, that action of the senses, the body, ourselves, we could look at an art world that re-thinks and breaks with what is established. Sensory methods take actions for a change. With all of this, how do we give sense to this project? What is the topic that can be fully connected to the senses, keeps us present and calls for action?

Climate change, although it is such an abstract topic, is a global problem which needs a global response, a global action. It is the responsibility of all of us along with the help of, hopefully, more socially-focus governments to take coordinated and adapted actions to reduce climate impacts. Communal actions can have a positive impact in society. How many times do we say “recycling is not enough”. And it is not. However, understanding nature, how we are part of it, the benefits of connection and opening a dialogue about the dimensions of climate change and how that will affect us can help us to re-think how everything works, how we can be more resolutive, flexible, and dynamic; how to re-see our surroundings, to know more about our communities and what they need; and how do we take action more meaningfully, more practically, and more consciously.

This project along with the site-specific exhibition finds its meaning as a whole. The months of research filled with books and exploration about the senses and nature cannot be separated from its creative and “visual” side, one is the result of the other and vice-versa. They flourished together. The artworks are different, from different forms and different artists, but they build a dialogue between them and with you, creating an experience and adding a new layer of meaning onto each work depending on each individual encounter. They find common ground through a multicultural bridge between India, UK, Spain, and Ecuador. But also the labels are different in relation to the artwork. In fact, it is totally the opposite of what you see. This is for opening a dialogue about whether we are really present and connected to nature. Are we totally conscious about what is happening and how this will affect us? Is it too late? How can we prevent the impact of what I am exploring in the exhibition? The space creates a playful homage to challenging the white cube, it reflects an artistic vision as a metaphor of the now and the future, a love letter to keep ourselves grounded and together. A space that exists because we have opened our creative practices to collaboration as something aligned and ethically related to the project’s roots, and to our human roots. A process of learning while we have been present through communication, expanding, growing, and activating each of our practices.

And last but not least, in the pursuit of the combination of sustainability and art, the melting point where both factors become one, artists can lead by example through their practices. Many artists are turning to unconventional materials, including recycled and repurposed items, to create their works. This not only reduces demand for new resources but also transforms waste into a powerful artistic statement. It develops sustainable socio-economic campaigns, follows and supports a sustainable cause, connects us with nature and our surroundings, innovates solutions through creative thinking, it promotes community engagement and development, acts as a catalyst for environmental advocacy, brings forth new reflections of cultural perspectives on sustainability, and represents that call for action through artistic activism. And to find that, to find those solutions, to take action, and create meaningful encounters with art, the nature, the world, it is only possible because you are there, you are present.