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Description
This project explores the collective force of multidisciplinary approach to arts education and activism. We will bring together an international team from Latvia and Norway from fields of contemporary circus and dance, comics, innovative technology and experts of ecology and sustainability to collaborate together and work with youngsters across Latvia around the topic of art activism for sustainability.
During the project we will create 6 laboratories/ workshops during which artists, experts, local professionals from rural areas and youngsters will work together to learn about climate change, sustainability, arts activism and explore artistic methods (circus, movement and comic books) in expressing their concerns and issues that they feel strongly about. The content that will be created during these laboratories will then be used as a source of inspiration for a comic book and a site-specific circus performance involving circus artists from Latvia and Norway.
Summary of project results
The main goal of the project was to explore the collective empowerment that a multidisciplinary approach to education, art, and activism can provide. The aim was to create a space for youngsters, artists, and environmental specialists to meet and work together across different regions of Latvia around the topic of art activism for the environment.
During the project, the artists together created and managed five creative laboratories in which young people from all over Latvia took part. In the labs, climate issues and art activism were discussed through different art forms – visual arts, circus, dance and movement. After listening to the vision of young people regarding environmental and climate problems, the circus performance DANDELION was created. Along with the performance, an interactive comic strip book “The Green journey” was created based on the same topics.
Also, during the project, a workshop for culture industry professionals from the regions of Latvia was held to discuss the methods how to attract different target audiences, especially young people, to contemporary art.
As a long-term result and impact, first of all, are all the youngsters that were reached and empowered during the project to continue the work of art activism, as well as introduced to contemporary art forms. Meanwhile, the small version circus performance DANDELION is continuing to tour around the Latvian schools and continues to spread inspiration on how our actions matter and how we can help in small ways to make a big difference.
Climate change can no longer be the concern of environmental activists alone. The climate crisis is an indisputable fact and we must all be involved in fighting against it. Circus, as a form of contemporary art, wants to be actively involved in talking about climate change.
Summary of bilateral results
The project donor partner Acting for Climate has been involved in this project since the project writing process and has been contributing to all the main project activities (laboratories, workshops, and residencies) by taking the lead and being the artists and directors of the final performance DANDELION.The partner not only shared their knowledge and values on sustainability and art activism with the youngsters but also with Latvian artists involved in the project. Working together as a team and sharing responsibilities, both partners have learned and grown through different challenges and problem-solving situations. With this collaboration, both sides have strengthened their relationship and will keep contact for future projects or performances.