Make art not policy

Posted on 04. Nov, 2009 by annac in United Kingdom

UN conference centres are vast, this one especially so. It’s one is one of those massive airplane hanger sized buildings that is basically just a huge concrete box with movable walls. They’ve laid some, attractive grey carpet down but it’s done little to hide the acres and acres of concrete slabs. Inside the main areas there are also no windows and so the only light is coming from rows and rows of strip lights.

UN conference centres like this do not inspire optimism.

In fact just the opposite. They are soulless places that inspire nothing but depression.

They create an atmosphere that is hushed, stagnant and lifeless.

This leads to delegates and negotiators who too, are hushed, stagnant and lifeless.

And this leads to the situation we find our selves in: negotiations that are going nowhere, with everyone just looking for a get out clause instead of looking for a solution.

The acres and acres of grey space in this conference centre really got me thinking. The only ‘art’ on the walls here are the beautiful and amazing photos of both 350 actions and the international youth movement from around the world. Every time I walk past one they make me smile, they remind me that there is life and hope in the world. They put an extra spring in my step.

Imagine if we reclaimed all the grey spaces…

Imagine if we filled the conference centre with art and life. Not just actions and climate change banners, but real art… paintings, dance, music…

Imagine if we redefined the space, re imagined the vast empty areas and brought hope and inspiration into them.

Imagine what that could do to the negotiations.

People who are happy, people who are inspired and hopeful and full of life might have more success at working with each other. More drive to achieve a better outcome. More hope of success.

Art is what makes us human, what makes us alive.

Take the art away and it’s no wonder we find ourselves in such a screwed up mess.

Art reminds us of what is beautiful in this world, of what is worth saving.

Who would want to work hard to save a grey, empty soulless, box?

It’s time to create an atmoshere that inspires working together and action, not disagreement and stagnation.

It’s time to bring the humanity back into this process, to celebrate what we are here to save, to provide life, love and laughter in the UN.

For some of us at least…

It’s time to make art not policy.

Tags: art, barcelona, climate change, policy, UN, UNFCCC