Environmental Politics (Lesson 6)

" Electoral Campaign"

Description in words of a witnesser: 

The image is of a sculpture by street artist Isaac Cordal, which has been dubbed "Politicians Debating Global Warming."

The first time I saw this image, my emotional reaction was immediate and profound. In this photo can see politicians debating our planet's global crisis with the waters up to the neck, filling their mouths and covering them completely. 

These Cordal's works are tiny, clay figures which he crafted and then placed in a puddle on a street in Berlin, Germany. When seen from afar, they look like dots poking out of temporarily collected water. However, when one zooms in, this is the result: a majestic, prominent picture of politicians refusing to act even as the waters overcome them, us and the world..

It's a perfect metaphor for climate change inaction: from afar, it's easy to ignore and dismiss, but zoom in and the crisis is clear.

What's amazing about this image is that Cordal's original intention was not for this image to be about climate change. Titled "electoral campaign" the image comes from his “Follow the Leaders” sculpture series, which contains incredible, miniature sculptures of urban decline and societal collapse.

 According to the artist, he believe that every small act can contribute to a big change. Many small changes can bring back social attitudes that manipulate the global inertia and turn it into something more positive. In fact, small changes can matter, and every tiny sculpture Cordal creates and photographs intends to do that: manipulate global inertia. One image at a time.

Description In words of the artist:

“These pieces reflect our own decline,” says Cordal. “We live immersed in the collapse of a system that needs change.” Moreover, he adds: ““It refers to this collective inertia that leads us to think that our small actions cannot change anything. But I believe that every small act can contribute to a big change. Many small changes can bring back social attitudes that manipulate the global inertia and turn it into something more positive.”

Extract from: https://www.pri.org/stories/2014-03-26/what-politicians-debating-global-warming-will-look-soon

Author’s description of the installation called Follow the Leaders:

“Follow the leaders is a critical reflection on our inertia as a social mass. Representing a social stereotype associated with power compound businessmen who run the global social spectrum. I worked with a great team of people that have helped me to realize this project.”

Extract from the artist’s web page: http://cementeclipses.com/Works/follow-the-leaders/

Webquest Link: http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=429084