micha cárdenas’s exhibition “Probability Engine: Atlantic Overturning” at Nuit Blanche, Toronto, explores the urgent climate crisis, highlighting scientific findings on impending environmental tipping points. Through interactive sculptures and multimedia art, cárdenas seeks to evoke emotional responses and inspire collective action towards climate justice, addressing the interconnectedness of global warming, ocean currents, and social equity.
In her recent exhibition titled “Probability Engine: Atlantic Overturning,” micha cárdenas, an Associate Professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, addresses the urgent issue of climate change through a multimedia art installation. The exhibition opened on October 5 at Nuit Blanche, a prominent contemporary art festival in Toronto known for attracting over 200,000 visitors yearly. cárdenas’s work serves as a stark reminder of the impending climate disasters highlighted in a report by Tim Lenton, founding director of the Global Systems Institute, which outlines significant climate tipping points such as the collapse of ice sheets and the destabilization of ocean currents. cárdenas expressed her alarm at Lenton’s findings, stating, “I just wanted to shout it from the rooftops. We are not just going to have warmer weather. We’re right on the edge of catastrophe.” The rising global temperature, already at 1.44 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average, casts a shadow over the future of our planet. Her installation engages visitors with interactive sculptures that communicate the potential consequences of inaction against climate change, while also urging them to envision a more equitable future. The centerpiece of the exhibition, “Atlantic Overturning,” is a 15-foot-long sculpture symbolizing the critical Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) system, which is reportedly nearing collapse due to human-induced climate changes. Collaborating with fellow artists, cárdenas has incorporated elements such as augmented reality, sound, and poetry to evoke an emotional response to the climate crisis. Alongside this, the exhibition includes other thought-provoking sculptures like “Permafrost,” which addresses methane release from melting permafrost, and “The Last Piece of Antarctic Ice,” which highlights the impacts of rising sea levels. In her artistic pursuits, micha cárdenas aims to utilize art as a medium for social change. Past projects demonstrate her commitment to addressing intersectional issues, such as the safety of marginalized communities and the repercussions of climate-related conflicts. By intertwining science and art, cárdenas hopes to inspire collective resistance against the ongoing climate catastrophe, emphasizing the emotional weight of the narrative surrounding climate justice. As she concludes, “This exhibition is trying to say that we need to overturn the order that is creating this climate disaster.” The support from various organizations fortifies the significance of “Probability Engine,” reinforcing its role in raising awareness about critical environmental issues among the public.
The backdrop of micha cárdenas’s exhibition lies in the increasing awareness of climate change as a multifaceted crisis with looming consequences. The report by Tim Lenton highlighted alarming climate tipping points that humanity may soon face, including the risk of ocean current collapse. cárdenas’s exploration of this topic through art represents a convergence of science and creativity, as she aims to effectively convey the severity of the issue and inspire action. The increasing global temperature and its associated impacts, such as biodiversity loss and severe weather events, underscore the necessity for immediate awareness and intervention.
In conclusion, micha cárdenas’s “Probability Engine: Atlantic Overturning” serves as both an artistic and urgent call to address climate change, utilizing engaging multimedia elements to reach a diverse audience. Through her work, cárdenas emphasizes the significance of emotional narratives in conjunction with scientific realities, inviting visitors to reflect on their connection to the climate crisis and consider their roles in fostering positive change. The exhibition stands as a poignant reminder of the challenges ahead and the critical need for societal transformation.
Original Source: news.ucsc.edu
