The GCDC are proud to have supported a series of events focused on climate change, held in association with the Barbican, London, and the University of Kent’s Centre for Indigenous and Settler Colonial Studies. Brazil Footprint 0.0 has been curated by GCDC post-doctoral researcher Dr Francesca Cavallo, from the School of Arts.
Brazil Footprint 0.0 was a week-long festival of online events that explored inequalities created by climate change in Brazil, with a particular focus on the country’s indigenous communities. These events looked at how artists and art institutions are promoting climate justice, in an environment already experiencing the effects of rising global temperatures. The programme included film screenings (“Have You Ever Seen a River Stop?”), artist Q&As (“Poetics of Resilience: A Live Conversation”), and conversations with indigenous curators (“Naine Terena in conversation with Francesca Laura Cavallo”), to consider how art can address climate change, and the importance of indigenous knowledge.
“Maré”, Mulambö, 2020. Acrylic on cotton. © Mulambö (Image source)
UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, and the UN Convention for Climate Change is scheduled to meet in November 2021 to decide on firm political commitments to reduce carbon emissions. It is in this context that Brazil is already feeling the impact of climate change, exacerbated by deforestation, corruption, exploitation of natural resources, and failing infrastructure. The current Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, is also an outspoken climate change denier. The events and artists showcased by the festival aimed to show the role of Brazil in the global effort to reduce climate change, and the ways countries such as the UK can support this.
Francesca also benefitted from the University’s Summer Vacation Research Competition, and worked with Kent research assistant Carlos Valero to produce a video essay about this project. Keep an eye on the GCDC webpages, where we will be sharing a link to this video essay, which will show the highlights of the festival alongside actions for effectively reducing climate change.
Our congratulations go to Francesca on creating a successful and inspiring week of activities.