A new project in Finland pairs artists with scientists to create the Climate Clock, a permanent art trail in Oulu highlighting climate change. Launching in June 2026 and curated by Alice Sharp, the trail will feature seven installations by artist-scientist duos, showcasing the region’s natural beauty and urgent climate issues. Notable participants include Rana Begum and glaciologist Alun Hubbard, who focus on the effects of melting Arctic glaciers.
In Finland, a groundbreaking initiative aims to unite artists and scientists to illuminate the climate crisis. The project, named Climate Clock, will establish a permanent public art trail throughout Oulu, designated as Europe’s Capital of Culture in 2026. This art trail will showcase seven unique outdoor installations, crafted by collaborative duos of artists and scientists, celebrating the region’s natural beauty in light of pressing climate issues.
Set to launch in June 2026, the trail is curated by Alice Sharp, the founder and artistic director of Invisible Dust, a UK-based environmental art organization. With over 15 years of experience at the intersection of art and science, Ms. Sharp emphasizes the urgency of the climate narrative. She stated, “The climate clock is ticking, the snow is melting…nature keeps its own time. “.
Rana Begum, a London-based artist, is collaborating with glaciologist Alun Hubbard from the University of Oulu. Drawing from Hubbard’s research, which details the rapid melting of Arctic glaciers, Begum aims to create an interactive series of sculptures reflecting Oulu’s unique subarctic light and the forms of its sea ice, to be exhibited in the city center.
In her own words, “During my research visits to Oulu, I have been struck by the exceptional beauty of the low Arctic light…the entire Arctic ice world is in motion, with enormous glaciers melting and crashing into the sea due to climate change” – The Art Newspaper. This partnership represents a novel venture for Begum, as she gains insights from scientific discussions about climate change.
Other notable artists involved in the Climate Clock project include Ranti Bam, a British-Nigerian ceramic artist, Gabriel Kuri from Brussels, Japanese sculptor Takahiro Iwasaki, Finnish multimedia artist Antti Laitinen, and the Danish art collective Superflex. Together, they will contribute to raising awareness about the urgent climate crisis through their innovative creations.
The Climate Clock project in Oulu, Finland, exemplifies an innovative approach to addressing climate issues by merging artistic expression with scientific research. By showcasing seven site-specific installations, it seeks to raise awareness of the region’s vulnerabilities to climate change while celebrating its natural beauty. Through the collaboration of diverse artists and scientists, the initiative highlights the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue in promoting environmental understanding.
Original Source: www.theartnewspaper.com
