Environmental Change for Artists

A year-long course taught in conjunction with the School of Arts, University of Haifa, together with Prof. Daniel Sher

Today, more and more artists are becoming vocal on issues of climate change and its implications for the planet (see for example, the many artistic events that took place at COP26). Art is becoming a tool to open dialog about where the planet is headed and creativity – to redefine the society we want to live in. This is an important step, since art has the power to touch people on an emotional level, making issues of climate change accessible and understandable to a wider audience. However, most of the time, these artists lack a deep understanding of the science behind the topics they are trying to deal with in their art or in their protest. On the other hand, scientists often lack the tools to make their vital discoveries accessible to the public and are often portrayed as being detached from reality. The COVID-19 pandemic has exemplified the mistrust between certain factions in the public and the scientific community – a mistrust that has grown due to lack of understanding and accessibility of data.

The course aims at bridging gaps in knowledge between artists and scientists working on issues of the environment and climate change.