Heatwaves, floods, fires, drought — the warming climate is messing with life as we know it and it is getting harder and harder to not despair. But what can we do? Aiming to find an answer through art, the Gage Gallery is presenting The Postcard Climate Show, an exhibition showcasing the community’s ideas for climate solutions.
“We came up with this project because we want to bring hope through art and help release climate-related feelings of angst,” explains Gage artist Ilka Bauer, one of the masterminds behind the project. “Our intention is to bring the community together while encouraging people to talk and think about what can be done.”
One does not have to be an artist to draw, write, stitch, paint or collage to answer the question: what change would you like to see in society for a climate-friendly future? Or what steps would you be personally willing to take?
Amanda, a participant from Black Creek, BC, sent in a word collage pledging to write letters: “I will help towards a sustainable future by applying pressure to those who have the power to make big change.”
Her postcard is one of more than 570 artful climate solutions that will be on display in a walk-through art installation starting February 22; artists, families, seniors, University students and professors, environmentalists, and adults with disabilities through the Garth Homer Society all contributed to the project.
Postmarks are arriving from as far away as Nova Scotia, Virginia, The Netherlands and Germany. Locally, the activity has also been a hit with students of all ages; teachers from 11 schools incorporated it into science or art lessons.
“I love that the project focuses on hope rather than doom and gloom,” says Kathryn Cook, a Victoria elementary teacher. “It is a perfect two hour unit. The students really enjoy the lesson.”
Many participants explain their idea on the back of their artwork. Suggestions range from heartwarming to profound and chilling, sad, and sometimes hilarious. “Don’t waste, finish your dad’s leftovers. Be amazing for human kind, so do not waste anything!,” is the advice received from a grade three student in Victoria.
Changes suggested are related to transportation, saving forests, reducing waste, keeping plastic out of the ocean and consuming less. Dr. Kirsten Zickfeld, Distinguished Professor of Climate Science at Simon Fraser University (and one of the project-participants) says those are all helpful steps and adds:
“Our carbon pollution is the main culprit for the climate crisis, therefore solutions that reduce carbon pollution are the most effective.
At an individual level these include switching to electric cars, flying less, and eliminating sources of carbon pollution from our homes. But individual actions are not enough – we need to make sure our governments address big polluters and create incentives for low-carbon lifestyles.”
Because both sides of the artwork are important to be seen, the postcards will be displayed hanging in clusters from a handmade net structure. Strings of cards will float at eye level, some quite low, so children can see them.
“We imagine the installation to resemble a web symbolizing our dependence on the natural world and the importance of working together to tackle this crisis,” says Gabriela Hirt, local artist and co-organizer.
There will be a selection of ten pieces printed as art cards for sale during the show with proceeds going to Sierra Club BC to raise funds for climate action.
The Postcard Climate Show will run from February 22 to March 6, 2022 at Gage Gallery, 19 Bastion Square, Victoria. Admission is free!