An art piece commissioned by Post Carbon Institute for their report: Welcome to the Great Unraveling, Navigating the Polycrisis of Environmental and Social Breakdown.

Here’s the final cover designed by Post Carbon Institute with the photo I have taken of the weaving piece.

For this project, I was in contact with Daniel Lerch, Education & Publications Director at Post Carbon Institute. There were consultations of the Post Carbon Institute team along the way to choose the propositions and ultimately to choose the photo for the cover.

HERE ARE THE PROJECT’S FIRST PROPOSITIONS

1. The unraveling weaving serves as a metaphor for our civilization’s loss of coherence. Placed against the sky, it contrasts the magnitude of the challenges we face. The photo presentation engages viewers emotionally and prompts reflection on societal fragility. This visual choice conveys the urgent need to address challenges and prevent further unraveling.

2. The climate stripes in the weaving symbolize stability and the impact of climate change. Blue represents a balanced climate, while red represents its unraveling. This artwork prompts reflection on our role in shaping a sustainable future.

3. The industrial fabric unraveling symbolizes the unraveling and fragility of our societal structures. The use of plastic strings highlights the negative impact of human activities on the environment. The visual contrast between the breaking fabric and the sky emphasizes the limitations and potential collapse of our systems. The visible holes in the fabric suggest transparency and expose societal flaws. This composition prompts reflection on our civilization’s state and the need for collective action.

4. The fracture: the visual of a crumbling concrete slab with a line of painted wood offers an intriguing response to civilization’s loss of coherence. The slab represents decay and breakdown, while the painted wood symbolizes resilience. The reuse of materials highlights sustainability, and the contrast between wood and concrete emphasizes the tension between stability and disintegration. This composition prompts contemplation on societal fragility and the potential for transformation amidst unraveling.

Same concept, but with the wood circle symbolizing the Earth. 

It was decided that I would continue to work on the climate stripes and the Earth (blue circle).

SECOND PROPOSITIONS

1. Around the Climate Stripes

2. Propositions with the Earth