Artists and Scientists Collaborate on Climate Crisis Awareness Project
The Climate Clock project in Finland will unite artists and scientists to create a public art trail in Oulu, featuring seven installations reflecting the region’s natural beauty and the impacts of climate change. Launching in June 2026, it is curated by Alice Sharp of Invisible Dust. Artist Rana Begum collaborates with glaciologist Alun Hubbard, creating interactive sculptures inspired by Arctic glaciers. Notable artists involved include Ranti Bam, Gabriel Kuri, and others, fostering an engaging dialogue on climate issues.
A new initiative in Finland aims to unite artists and scientists to enhance awareness regarding the climate crisis. Named the “Climate Clock,” this project will launch a permanent public art trail throughout the city of Oulu, designated as Europe’s Capital of Culture in 2026. The trail will consist of seven unique outdoor installations, each fashioned by collaborative artist-scientist pairs that honor the natural splendor of the region, which is intimately affected by climate change due to its location near the Arctic Circle.
Set to debut in June 2026, the trail is curated by Alice Sharp, the founder and artistic director of the UK-based environmental art organization, Invisible Dust. With extensive experience encompassing 15 years, Sharp articulates the urgency of the climate issue. She noted, “The climate clock is ticking, the snow is melting… nature keeps its own time,” highlighting the significant artistic interpretations of scientific concepts, from examining ancient artifacts to the pressing issues of glacier decline.
Rana Begum, a London-based artist, will collaborate with glaciologist Alun Hubbard from the University of Oulu for her installation. Her work will draw from Hubbard’s findings about the rapid melting of glaciers in the Arctic Circle. The interactive sculptures, inspired by the region’s natural light and sea ice contours, will be prominently displayed in the city’s central square.
Begum, originally from Bangladesh, a nation also significantly impacted by climate change, shared her reflections on her visits to Oulu. She remarked, “During my research visits to Oulu, I have been struck by the exceptional beauty of the low Arctic light… I realized how the entire Arctic ice world is in motion.” This project marks her first collaboration with a scientist, offering profound insights, especially regarding the precarious state of melting glaciers.
The project will also showcase contributions from various notable artists, including British-Nigerian ceramic artist Ranti Bam, Brussels-based visual artist Gabriel Kuri, Japanese sculptor Takahiro Iwasaki, Finnish multimedia artist Antti Laitinen, and the Danish art collective Superflex. Each artist brings a distinctive perspective to this vital climate conversation.
The Climate Clock project in Finland symbolizes a pivotal collaboration between art and science, addressing the urgent climate crisis. By intertwining visual artistry with scientific research, the initiative aims to raise public consciousness regarding environmental degradation. The contributions of various artists, along with their scientific counterparts, are expected to elicit meaningful discourse about the challenges presented by climate change while celebrating the beauty of the natural world.
Original Source: www.theartnewspaper.com
