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Knitting exhibition shows climate change to be ‘Up in the Air’
Embargoed until Tuesday 7th July 2015
An innovative art installation goes on show this week to bring alive the greenhouse gases that are causing climate change [1]. Local artist Clare Bryden has been knitting larger than life versions of the particles and making card games. The exhibition [2], which will be on display from 11-24 July at the Glorious Art House in Fore Street Exeter, is designed to be a playful way of sparking people’s interest in the science and issue of climate change.
Clare said: “This year is vital, as governments are meeting in Paris in December, and hopefully they will come to a ground-breaking agreement on the climate [3].
“Exeter is home to two world-class climate research centres at the Met Office and the University. They are advising the government on how human activity is changing the climate, and what reductions in greenhouse gas emissions we need to make to avoid dangerous climate change.
“The government also needs to hear the concerns of the ordinary person in the street. But because the climate is changing over such a long time-scale and the potential impacts are so huge, it’s difficult to talk or even think about it [4].
“Climate change is happening up in the air, and the outcome of the negotiations in Paris is up in the air too. Knitting and making card games are my ways of bringing it all back down to earth.
“I wanted to appeal to the different ways that different people take in information, both through words and numbers, and through the senses of sight and touch.
“This exhibition is a creative way of getting a serious message across. I have knitted carbon dioxide and methane amongst others and I urge people to come along and have a play! We will even be holding a workshop [2] where you can knit your own carbon dioxide.”
‘Up in the Air’ is supported by a Small Arts Grant from Exeter City Council and sponsorship from the Diocese of Exeter.
ENDS
Notes
[1] The Met Office has produced an infographic exploring the difference between weather and climate, what drives our climate and how our climate is changing – see http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/news/in-depth/climate-infographic
[2] ‘Up in the Air’ is running in the gallery on the 2nd floor of the Glorious Art House in Fore Street, Exeter from Saturday 11th to Friday 24th July. There will also be a knitting workshop run by Diana Moore of Knit Stop from 10am-12noon on Saturday 18th July. For more information and booking, please see https://clarebryden.co.uk/particulart/up-in-the-air/.
[3] “Everything you need to know about the Paris climate summit and UN talks” at http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/02/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-paris-climate-summit-and-un-talks
[4] “Why your climate conversations always go wrong, and how to make them better” http://www.1010uk.org/articles/why-your-climate-conversations-always-go-wrong-and-how-make-them-better
[Now at https://www.wearepossible.org/actions-blog/how-to-talk-about-climate-change]
Contact
Clare Bryden
07794 505707
brydenclare@gmail.com
@ClareBryden