Artivism in the Age of Climate Chaos and Societal Instability
Throughout history, the most significant movements for positive change have nearly always been accompanied by powerful artistic expressions that shed light on injustices and offer visions of a more equitable society. We are currently facing unprecedented challenges as our climate unravels and reactionary authoritarian movements gain in momentum. Does navigating these seemingly perpetual existential crises necessitate new strategies from the “engaged” creative community? This session will feature leading activist/artists and innovative figures reshaping art institutions, who will share their insights and experiences. Moderated by Arturo Mendez-Reyes, founder of Arts.Co.Lab, a “Cultural Equity Agency” dedicated to strengthening the cultural ecosystem within marginalized communities. With: Devon Bella, founder of Art and Climate Action, a Bay Area collective committed to fostering a sustainable and environmentally-conscious arts community; David Solnit, renowned direct action organizer, author, and puppeteer, co-founder of Art and Revolution; Orion Camero, former Brower Youth Award winner and Spiritual Ecology Fellow.
Golden Bear Room, Hotel Shattuck Plaza
March 30th | 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm
Panelists
David Solnit
Muralist
Climate Justice Arts Project
David Solnit is a longtime mass arts organizer and street muralist with the Climate Justice Arts Project. David uses the arts as a tool with movements and campaigns to help tell stories and win positive change. He has supported movements with art and direct action on four continents, using giant street murals, street theater and pageants, street art poster newspapers and art builds (people making art together). He has co-created numerous art kits (Ceasefire in Gaza, To End Fossil Fuels) and editor/author of GlobalizeLiberation: How to Uproot the System and Build a Better World.
Arturo Mendez-Reyes
Founder
Arts.Co.Lab
Arturo Méndez-Reyes is a cultural producer, curator, visual artist, musician, and community organizer advancing cultural equity in San Francisco. Founder of community empowering projects, including Arts.Co.Lab, La Diáspora Festival, and Urban Prophets Illustrated, as well as producer for the Mission Arts and Performance Project (MAPP) since 2016, Arturo has curated shows for the Exploratorium, Harvard and Cornell universities, and the United Nations. The recipient of many grants and awards, his work strives to create generative narratives to empower people through arts and culture for collective joy and liberation and to advocate for institutional policies and practices that center the voices of people from the most vulnerable communities.
Devon Bella
Founder
Art and Climate Action
Devon Bella, MFA, a San Francisco-based independent curator and arts advocate, is co-founder and Director of Art + Climate Action (A+CA), whose bold mission is to decarbonize the Bay Area art world by empowering artists and cultural producers to adopt sustainable practices and by fostering a thriving network of climate conscious arts organizations. Bella, who is also the Cultural Strategist for the City of San José Office of Cultural Affairs Climate Art Program, has had extensive experience in the international art world and with mission-driven organizations, including serving as Director of KADIST in San Francisco, Senior Curator and art advisor for Vital Voices Global Partnership in Washington, D.C., and co-curating the 2019 Honolulu Biennial.
Orion Camero
