storytelling-2075

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We are pleased to introduce our esteemed guest critics, who joined our artist cohort in July for our midway critique.

The invaluable insights from David, Joi and Omari brought expert vision at that critical stage.

Thank you @fourdsquared@joixlee & @omari_k !!

David Dwight IV works a strategy consultant supporting social impact organizations to advance their visions for equity and justice and strengthen their operations. Through experience on public commissions and in non profits he’s driven by a passion for supporting communities to define the future they want, understand the structural barriers, and then co-create paths forward and take action. He also has a passion for storytelling, both on the stage and in producing digital media.

As the Head of Editorial at Earthrise Studio, Joi Lee is committed to expanding the climate narrative and championing diverse perspectives and tools in storytelling. EarthRise was created with a vision to tell stories to fire up the environmental movement and inspire the climate curious to embrace their power to create change. Stories that harness both urgency and optimism - in a delicate balance - resisting the pull of climate doom.

Omari K. Chancellor is a Caribbean-American writer and actor based in Brooklyn. As a writer and filmmaker, their work has been featured in SoftPunk Magazine, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, and American Chordata. As an actor and performer he’s appeared at Rattlestick, UCB LA, Apple TV, CBS, Paramount+, Roundabout, and acted in several plays at the Williamstown Theater Festival. Omari teaches writing with the Gotham Writers Workshop, and has taught at Spotlight Kids NY and the 52nd Street Project.

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Introducing Kaila Holland, who contributes “renewssance” to the 2024 anthology:

Kaila Holland is from Evanston, IL, and recently graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in Urban Studies. She is an artist, and has a research background in American secondhand clothing trade and waste stream in Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, and Kenya's textile industries.

“renewssance” imagines a future where textile waste is an opportunity for endless artistic and functional potential, posing a vision where trash is turned to treasure. This block print portrait of a woman rising from the sea is inspired by the reuse of recycled fabric and textile waste, and the urgent need for resource renewal in our climate futures. In 2024, the average American throws away 12 pounds of clothing annually, adding 11.3 millions tons of textile waste to landfills on a yearly basis. Due to systematic factors, both in America and abroad, low income communities bear the brunt of the consumption patterns of the wealthy. The textile waste pollutes waterways and leeches chemicals. This issue bridges racial, class, and environmental issues. Through the process of adaptive reuse, renewssance presents a world reimagined through an alternative patchwork.

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Co-Founder Robert J. Dellinger is a Ph.D. student in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at UCLA, holding an M.S. in Marine Biology, a B.S. in Marine & Coastal Sciences, and a B.A. in International Relations with an emphasis in Latin America/Caribbean Politics. They are currently a Graduate Research Assistant at the Critical Ecology Lab, researching the impacts of industrial activities on forest ecosystems. Their research focuses on the interactive effects of anthropogenic change on ecosystem processes under future climate scenarios, such as the combined impacts of ocean acidification and warming. Robert adopts a transdisciplinary research approach, spanning various disciplines to ask critical questions regarding ecological processes, patterns, and outcomes. As a Queer & Latinx student, they believe that historically excluded knowledge systems are essential for averting a planetary crisis and filling in knowledge gaps, ultimately offering us alternative imagined futures. Robert is a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, a UCLA Center for Diverse Leadership Fellow, and a Sustainable Oceans NSF National Research Trainee.

“Morir Soñando” transports us to decolonized Ayiti (formerly the Dominican Republic) in the year 2100. Here, an Abuelita weaves together tales of cultural movements and collective awakenings that spanned the world and stirred the hearts of the sleeping dreamers. Named after the traditional Dominican drink, which translates to “to die dreaming,” this narrative highlights the cultural significance of imagined futures, the passing down of knowledge from generation to generation, and the awakening of an “unconscious” culture in the pursuit of a dream. The drink’s simple ingredients—orange juice, milk, and sugar—reflect the harmony achieved by blending seemingly incompatible elements through the bonds of sugar.

Abuelita recounts how artistic and cultural movements, particularly hip-hop, united communities during a time when a monopoly corporation sought global dominance. She tells how the power of the people overcame divisions imposed by greedy rulers who worshiped only their gods of profit. Starting with the first dance after the successful revolution, she teaches us that the revolution was as much about reclaiming minds, bodies, and spirits as it was about changing political structures…These revolutions, while not without immense struggle and sacrifice, resulted in a transformed society; leading to the democratization of workspaces across the globe, centering sustainable practices that prioritized people and the environment over profit, and inevitably the creation of new political systems. Renewable energy became the norm, localized agriculture allowed the planet to heal, and advancements in carbon drawdown techniques, developed through collaboration between scientists and Indigenous leaders, solved climate change.

Abuelita’s story emphasizes the importance of intergenerational storytelling, resilience, and unity. Her tales inspire her grandchildren, showing them they are part of a long tradition of strength and hope, carrying the torch forward for future generations. Just as the drink blends disparate elements into a delightful concoction, the revolution needed to unite diverse communities to create a better world. Abuelita’s storytelling fosters intergenerational healing, highlights the long journey towards freedom, and underscores the interconnected efforts of people worldwide to build a better future.

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“Resistencia y Alegría” intertwines themes of reproductive & environmental justice through a dynamic visual lens on Houston, TX. The work features a silhouette of a womxn intertwined with roots and tree branches, symbolizing the parallel between injustices on earth (environmental justice) to injustices on women (reproductive justice). This imagery extends into the creeks and bayous flowing through a map of Houston, which often surge during heavy rainfall, highlighting the impact of these injustices on communities across the City. This visual underscores the potential of place as a site of injustice (on land, on women) but also a site of healing and joy. Throughout the map, the artist highlights various experiences at the intersections of reproductive and environmental justice - from the impact of air quality on maternal health to community-led protests against environmental degradation to moments of joy. With a nod to the power of women in justice movements, particularly the Ni Una Menos movement in Latin America - reflected in the purple color scheme which often show up in protests against feminicide - the work draws connections between Houston’s large Latine population and ancestral roots, and the power that comes from those places and collective action. By highlighting both the challenges and moments of joy and empowerment in our present, “Resistencia y Alegría” invites viewers to consider what a continued struggle for both environmental and reproductive justice look like in our future, and how to embrace resilience in alignment with nature to build that just future.

Asenette Ruiz is a facilitator and creative engineer from Houston, focused on bridging STEM and justice for herself, others, and collectives. She centers her work on environmental justice and empowering underserved communities. Asenette has co-led community-based environmental health initiatives in Mexico, taught at MIT's MITES programs, and pursued more artistic projects. To center joy and peace in her life, she loves to hammock, be outside with her plantitas, and enjoy a cup of tea.

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Introducing Laken Sylvander, the artist behind “Toposomatic Inheritance” and Co-Founder of Climate Storytelling 2075:

“Toposomatic Inheritance” offers a tangible approach to future stewardship of place and body through the construction of garment as storytelling device. The Black Mountain Toposomatic Coat is an experimental garment that meditates on heritage, colonial ancestry, and environmental violence under capitalism. The construction of the coat challenges the notion of static maps and places. This coat, hand-crafted on the artist's body from an original pattern with a textile (Eco-Fi felt) made of recycled water bottles, features a topographic map of Black Mountain, Missouri, projected and traced onto the fabric. The artist then deconstructed and reassembled the coat along the map's lines, creating a patchwork that could be interpreted as scarring. Each piece was hand-dyed to obscure the terrain's legibility. The artist, whose maternal grandfather owned land near Black Mountain, questions what it means to inherit a place and explores the possibilities of passing down place-memory through garments rather than land. In consideration of how Land Back movements hold great potential for intentional land stewardship, this conceptual garment imagines land and body stewardship as healing in a future where the place-body (topo-soma) lives in harmony with the Earth.

Laken Sylvander is from St. Louis, MO and was raised in Singapore. She is a food + environmental justice advocate, musician, artist, and designer. Her multidisciplinary creative approach has built a body of theory-driven, curiosity rooted work in pursuit of building communal land and resource stewardship.

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"In Search of Oysters” follows a man in a not-so-far-off future who embarks on an existential journey in a submarine to collect materials for experimental carbon capture. Throughout this journey, he grapples with his former meth addiction addiction, forced recovery, and societal isolation while interacting with an AI companion. The narrative unfolds through a series of first-person journal entries, depicting his complex relationship with the AI, his reflections on his past life, and his evolving perspective on humanity and acceptance. The story explores themes of addiction, the future of climate technology, queerness and the human condition, interwoven with a unique sci-fi element of underwater exploration and environmental preservation that humanizes a climate future.

Elijah Valerjev is from Santa Barbara, CA and an undergraduate at UC Davis studying Moecular and Medical Microbiology, Education and Professional Writing. He is interested in science communication, enjoying the storytelling aspect of science writing, and in connecting research topics to societal issues. He is board editor for the Aggie Trascript Undergraduate Research Journal, in addition to writing as a Science Journalist for the Marine Science Program. Elijah is a reader and a runner.

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Introducing Justin Nunn, aka @cairocroon

“Casanova” is the 10th track from Cairo Croon’s album, “Atmosphere”. It explores the comfort of love at the end of the world, and the bravery love gives one to survive. Casanova features lyrical references to Sodom & Gomorrah and is accompanied by contrasting visuals of the beauty of nature and the destruction of that nature at the hands of a pollution-catalyzed deteriorated ozone layer. This track envisions what love can offer us in the face of environmental peril.

"Atmosphere," is a queer love story set against the backdrop of the deteriorating ozone layer and the impending end of the world as we know it. The conceptual album explores themes of environmental destruction, love, loss, and resilience through a narrative in three parts: the intimate relationship between the protagonist and Earth; a romantic relationship that evolves amidst the urgency of the climate’s collapse; and the ultimate tragedy of the lover's death due to unbreathable air. Accompanied by visuals that blend scenes of nature, love, and decay, the album explores the duality of loss and gain in the face of environmental and personal tragedy while centering urgency, love, and transformation.

Justin Nunn lives in St. Louis, MO, hailing from Belleville, IL. They are an educator for elementary-middle school scholars in Southwestern Illinois. Also the artist known as Cairo Croon, they have released 2 solo projects in collaboration with international producers available wherever you stream music. They are working on a soon-to-be-released, self-produced album.

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Introducing Olivia Zhang, the artist behind “Over the Years.”

"Over the Years" is a multimedia artwork that bridges imaginative storytelling and climate data science. Inspired by the role of location: how people interact with each other, with our histories, and with our environment, this artwork features a timelapse of satellite imagery, overlaid and blended with a personal portrait. Accompanying these visuals is a poignant poem that delves into the artist’s personal fears and hopes regarding the escalating climate crisis. Through this fusion of data visualization and intimate self-expression, the artwork seeks to humanize the often impersonal nature of climate science, making the pressing issues of environmental change more relatable and emotionally resonant. By visually and lyrically intertwining the stark realities of climate data with the deeply human response to our uncertain future, "Over the Years" transforms abstract visuals of “change for the worse” into a narrative that speaks to both urgency and our shared humanity.

Olivia Zhang is from New Orleans, LA and grew up in South Florida, where she discovered her passion for climate action and environmental justice. As a geography and data science student at the University of Florida, she is passionate about supporting community-centered initiatives through research and data storytelling. Art and storytelling are interwoven through everything she does.

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Climate Storytelling 2075 is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of the inaugural cohort’s anthology in September of 2024.

These artists and storytellers offer us an expansive and uplifting roadmap to a climate future where, to borrow from Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson (@ayanaeliza), we “get it right.”

Join us as we spotlight our young storytellers.

In the timeless words of @tonicadebambara “The role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible.” The works in this inaugural anthology illuminate the beauty and promise of a climate revolution, helping us envision a just world for people and planet.

This September, the 2024 cohort of climate storytellers envision a 2075 free from the dystopian narratives that dominate the public imagination. From the frontlines, these artists and storytellers offer an equitable vision of a thriving future.

Watch this space for announcements of the digital and print publications, as well as opportunities to experience the work with a public launch this fall.

Interested in partnership, offering mentorship to young artists, or sponsorship? Email climatestorytelling2075@gmail.com

https://www.instagram.com/climatestorytelling2075

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CALL FOR MULTIMEDIA PROPOSALS: Regenerative Climate Storytelling 2075

Submit your proposal here.

We invite passionate creators to submit their multimedia proposals for our anthology series, dedicated to exploring the complexities of climate change and the potential for transformative action through an optimistic lens.

This call for proposals is open to young people from frontline, BIPOC, queer, and other communities who experience the undue burdens of climate change while simultaneously demonstrating the innovation and resilience required to build new realities. Centering the experiences, knowledge, and alternative ways of knowing from these communities is crucial in shaping our collective understanding of climate futures. By amplifying the voices of frontline, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA* communities, we aim to build a more inclusive and equitable vision of the future.

We welcome submissions of pieces that have been previously developed for programs, classes, or other creative endeavors. However, please note that submitted works should not have been published publicly elsewhere. If you have any questions or need clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

We seek to create an inclusive and interdisciplinary community, and therefore, participation from individuals with diverse backgrounds, from scientists to artists, is highly encouraged. 

Phase 1: Short Proposal Submission

Deadline: March 5 2024

Provide a brief description (no more than 200 words) of your concept and vision.

Core project team will review submissions then meet to discuss. Each submission will receive a written reply and be assigned to a senior editor and small group (three to five authors) by 15 January 2024. Small groups and editors will be determined by some common themes across the submissions, such as the lens they are using or the subject they are exploring.

The senior editor will meet with their small group to discuss the feedback and refine ideas in November and December. A first draft of the submission is due by 15 March 2023.

Authors will get feedback from their senior editor and all members of their small group on their draft piece by 15 April 2024. They will then have until 1 June 2024 to submit the final piece.

Submit here.

Phase 2: Full Submission

Deadline: Summer 2024

Scroll storytelling-2075.tumblr.com for more details and resources!

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“Great art has the possibility to evade our lives; it makes us feel something before we know how to express it.  Art reminds us we are not obligated to recognize what is given simply because it is given. Rather, it helps us cultivate the imagination – to make something new of the old.” - Angela Davis 

CALL FOR MULTIMEDIA PROPOSALS: Regenerative Climate Storytelling 2075

We are eager to bring together diverse voices and perspectives to illuminate imagined climate futures. 

We seek to foster creative and critical thinking about the future of our planet by acknowledging and tapping into the knowledge held by communities worldwide. By centering intersectionality and abolition, we aim to explore diverse perspectives and narratives that reimagine climate futures in ways that challenge existing power structures and promote equality.

We firmly believe that a comprehensive understanding of climate change must encompass issues of race, gender, class, ability, and other forms of social identity.

Our vision is to create an inclusive and interdisciplinary community that transcends boundaries and disciplines. 

We invite participation from individuals with diverse backgrounds, ranging from scientists and researchers to artists, activists, writers, and thinkers. We strongly encourage collaboration and co-creation across different fields and perspectives.

Together, we can ignite meaningful conversations and generate innovative ideas that have the potential to shape a sustainable and just future.

Scroll storytelling-2075.tumblr.com for more details and resources!

Submit your proposal here!

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Click through for the Regenerative Climate Storytelling guide for artist guidance, produced in collaboration with trubel&co!

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We invite passionate creators to submit their multimedia proposals for this anthology series, dedicated to exploring the complexities of climate change and the potential for transformative action through an optimistic lens.

Scroll storytelling-2075.tumblr.com for more details and resources!

Submit your proposal here.