Environmental issues might feel like a cold shower during the burning summer heat. Still, these problems have to be confronted and acted upon. From the 5th of July to the 18th of August, “Look into my Ice” will introduce to Tartu and Tartu County a substantial programme, which introduces through art and science the wide range of problems that the melting of the glaciers brings with itself. The exhibition will include works of art in various media, some of which have been created specially for the Capital of Culture within a residency programme on-site by international artists from the three European Capitals of Culture Tartu/Estonia, Bodø/Norway and Bad Ischl/Austria as well as Germany as the association’s headquarters.
Scientific phenomena will be introduced engagingly, instigating different generations to act and explore together with hands-on workshops, which introduce sustainable everyday practices and allow for a mutual discussion on the current climate issues. The project partners – Tartu Art House, TYPA Print and Paper Art Centre, Science Centre AHHAA, Ice Age Centre and Pallas University of Applied Sciences – invite visitors of all ages to exhibitions, workshops, performances, discussions and guided tours. By bringing people closer to environmental issues, art helps to establish an emotional engagement with the topic of ice and thus inspires people to make more environmentally friendly choices.
Insufficient contact with nature can make us apathetic towards the environment. “Look into my Ice” will be taking place in urban and countryside areas at the same time to reconnect humans with nature and increase our capacity to empathise with environmental problems. Even small and local sustainable acts can have a reaching positive impact.
The melting of the ice mass is a global problem. Countries that experience ice formation, like Estonia, Norway, and Austria will be able to share their knowledge with warmer climate countries, where the melting of the ice mass is not so easily perceived. It is by cooperating and sharing personal experiences and local successes that we learn most effectively. An online performance weekend brings together performative artistic positions from all European Capitals of Culture 2024 for an international audience without causing emissions through travelling.