Contemporary Art Challenges Climate Issues

COPENHAGEN , Oct. 22 /CNW/ - While politicians will gather at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen , 26 trendsetting Nordic and international artists create new ways for the public and politicians to grasp the complicated climate issues.

Imagine a mountain moving to the beat of a seismograph, flying biospheres in the sky and hundreds of plastic bags with acid rain. What is it like when art merges with sounds from the Mexican jungle, satellite tracking data of the currently "most blue sky" or arctic birds?

Art's ability to inspire and give new perspectives is emphasised by the Danish Minister for Climate and Energy, Connie Hedegaard , who states:

"Art acts as a source of inspiration and initiate reflection. Naturally, I hope that some of the many politicians who come to Copenhagen for the climate conference in December will be inspired by the exhibition. However, it is also important that citizens get the opportunity to view the climate challenge from a cultural perspective."

RETHINK presents artworks by artist Tomas Saraceno (AR), Henrik Hakansson (SE), The Icelandic Love Corporation (IS), Superflex (DK), Bright Ugochukwu Eke (NG), Olafur Eliasson (IS/DK), and many others. In very different ways, all contributions give new perspectives on climate and environment.

RETHINK is nominated for the "Nordic Exhibition of the Year 2009-2010" by the Nordic Culture Fund and will tour several cities in the Nordic countries in 2010. In addition, the exhibition is part of the official culture programme for the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP15 that will take place in Copenhagen from December 7th to 18th.

RETHINK is displayed from 31 October at three of Copenhagen's finest exhibition houses - the National Gallery of Denmark , Den Frie Centre of Contemporary Art and Nikolaj Copenhagen Contemporary Art Center - and at the web gallery http://www.rethinkclimate.org created by the Alexandra Institute - the principal organiser of the exhibition.

Press material

Photos, logos and more information about the exhibition can be found at http://www.rethinkclimate.org/press.

For further information: Press contact: Press Coordinator Anders Sondergaard, the Alexandra Institute, Tel.: [phone], Mail: [email protected]