‘Choreographing a Climate of Wellbeing’ © Jameel Arts & Health Lab. Panellists (left to right): Elizabeth Markovitch, Founder of Ikono TV; Manal Ataya, Advisor to Sharjah Museums Authority; Princess Mashael bint Saud Al-Shalan, Co-founder of Aeon Collective; Christopher Bailey, Co-director, Jameel Arts & Health Lab; and on screen new media artist Refik Anadol
On COP’s first ever designated Health Day, the Jameel Arts & Health Lab and Aeon Collective, in collaboration with Impact One, co-hosted a high-level panel in the COP28 Green Zone as part of the WHO’s 75th Anniversary Program. The panel explored the role of the arts in translating the science of climate change, and its impact on human and planetary health, into compelling stories that might shape our values and behaviour for years to come.
In a world increasingly aware of climate change’s impact on health yet struggling to integrate this awareness into mainstream behavior, the role of artists becomes ever more crucial. They hold the key to unlocking the other side of our brains, where imagination and creativity reside as essential tools for understanding and actively responding to the climate crisis.
Panelists included the world-renowned media artist, Refik Anadol; Princess Mashael bint Saud Al-Shalan, Co-founder of Aeon Collective; Manal Ataya, Advisor to Sharjah Museums Authority; Christopher Bailey, Co-director, Jameel Arts & Health Lab; and Elizabeth Markovitch, Founder of Ikono TV.
“One of the most profound experiences in life
and the most intelligent things we have as
humanity is nature. The data in nature can be
used for bringing awareness and context and
discourse to the beauty and the complexity of
nature. I think we can find ways of looking at
similarities and I believe that artists like myself,
working with technology, data and algorithms,
have a significant responsibility to create
awareness through exhibitions and profound
performances and beyond.”
– Refik Anadol
Arts, Health & Climate Panel at Healing Arts Arabia © Impact One. Panellists (left to right):
Princess Mashael bint Saud Al-Shalan; Mikolaj Sekutowicz, CEO of Impact One; Prof. Carlos
Duarte, marine ecologist; and Dr. Nisha Sajnani, Founding Co-Director of the Arts & Health at NYU.
Key Takeaways include:
- Healing through Art: Art nurtures creativity and inspires solutions to climate challenges.
- Connection to Nature: Reconnecting with nature promotes healing and a sense of belonging within the ecosystem.
- Interdisciplinary Approaches: Collaboration among artists, scientists, researchers, and communities is vital for effective climate solutions.
- Importance of Stories: Stories and narratives, in various forms, help people understand and cope with climate-related experiences.
- Global Collaboration: Global cooperation is essential to address climate change.
- Role of Artists: Artists are agents of change who raise awareness and contribute to healing through their work.
In October 2023, Impact One CEO Mikolaj Sekutowicz also took part in the Arts, Health & Climate Panel as part of the Healing Arts Arabia Activation Week. On the panel were Princess Mashael bint Saud Al-Shalan, Prof. Carlos Duarte, Dr. Nisha Sajnani, and Mikolaj Sekutowicz.
The panel delved into:
- The role of the arts in inspiring efforts to reduce emissions and prevent global warming
- How the arts can be leveraged to cope with eco-anxiety, grief, and the despair stemming from climate change, and to adapt to its present and future impacts
- The reflection of humanity in art, capturing both its virtues and flaws. Art provides a lens to comprehend our world, emphasising our growing detachment from nature
Healing Arts Arabia is a Saudi-led initiative that advocates for holistic health (physical, mental, ecological, and social) through the arts. This regional effort is being spearheaded by the Jameel Arts & Health Lab and Aeon Collective, in collaboration with the G20 Global Innovation Hub. Healing Arts is a global campaign by WHO, NYU Steinhardt, Community Jameel and Culturunners.
Choreographing a climate-of wellbeing
On COP’s first ever designated Health Day, the Arts, Health & Climate Panel explored the role of the arts in translating the science of climate change, and its impact on human and planetary health.