Exhibition Statement

The effects of climate change are taking place on a global level, from the Andes to the Arctic, and throughout Africa, Asia and the Americas. While the impacts of climate change are vast and growing, we asked 40 artists from around the world to focus on the melting and thawing of the ice caps and permafrost, and the implications for humans and other species. In recent years, as the science of climate change has become more certain, the conversation has transformed from “Is climate change happening?” to “What will we do about it?” Already, rising temperatures are requiring plants and animals to adapt to shifts in their habitat and food supply — some species may be successful, while others may not be. The changes in the Earth’s climate also require that we change the way we live. We must respond not by turning away, but by educating ourselves, and being willing to change our habits, attitudes, and way of life.

In Melting Ice / A Hot Topic, the artists explore these many aspects of the meaning of change. The powerful effects of climate change — scarcity of resources, desertification, and an increase in the number of natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes — can lead to an increase in resource conflicts. The UN Security Panel recently characterized climate change as a threat to international peace and security. Climate change might lead to millions of refugees and dramatic changes in the supply of drinking water. The link between climate change and peace becomes increasingly apparent. The art invites us to reflect on our beliefs about the environment, and question our own perceptions. Our hope is that the exhibition will inspire change — in both attitudes and action.

Exhibition Venues

The Field Museum | Chicago, Illinois, 2008
Ministry of Culture | Monaco, 2008
BOZAR | Brussels, Belgium, 2007
Nobel Peace Center | Oslo, Norway, 2007

Participating Artists

Alfio Bonano – Denmark; Ana Prvacki – Serbia; Andrea Polli – US; Angela Lergo – Spain; Anne Senstad – Norway; Cecilia Paredes – Peru; Chris Jordan – US; Dalibar Martinis – Croatia; David and Hi-Jin Hodge – US & Korea; David Buckland- UK; David Nash – Wales; David Trubridge – New Zealand; Era and Don Farnsworth – US; Fred Ivar Ultsi Klemetsen – Norway; Free Range Studio – US; Gary Hume – UK; Gilles Mingasson – France; Helen and Newton Harrison – US; Ichi Ikeda – Japan; The Icelandic Love Corporation – Iceland; Ives Maes — Belgium; Jacob McKean – US; Jonas Liveröd – Sweden; Justin Young – US; Kahn Selesnick – England; Laura Horelli – Finland; Lucy & Jorge Orta – England & Argentina; Margaret Cogswell- US; Mona Hatoum – Lebanon; Philippe Pastor – Monaco; Queen Sonja of Norway; Robert Bateman – Canada; Sant Khalsa – US; Shana and Robert ParkeHarrison – US; Sebastian Copeland – US; Siobhan Davies-UK; Strijdom van der Merwe – South Africa; Subhankar Banerjee – India & US; Sven Pahlsson-Norway; Sveln Flygari Johansen – Norway; Theo Wujcik – US; Xavier Cortada – US; Yoshiaki Kaihatsu – Japan