Power, People and Planet LIVE: How Can Art and Activism Work Together? | Ólafur Elíasson & Molly Fannon
In this special live episode, Kumi discusses the connection between arts and activism with the renowned artist Olafur Eliasson and Molly Fannon, CEO at Museum for the United Nations - UN Live.
In the face of collective action problems such as the climate crisis, one of the biggest weaknesses in activism is the inability to communicate its narratives, messages, and vision beyond certain groups of people. How can the work of artists help create change? What can art and activism learn from each other?
This episode was recorded at an event hosted by the Robert Bosch Stiftung on the 20th April 2022.
Our guests:
Ólafur Elíasson is an Icelandic–Danish artist known for his large-scale installation art employing elemental materials such as light, water, and air temperature to enhance the viewer's experience. Regarded as a leading artist in bringing awareness of climate and environmental issues to the public, Ólafur’s work often focuses on the interaction between spectator and environment, and the common ground between art and science. He currently lives and works in Berlin, where he was a professor at the Berlin University of the Arts. His studio now employs more than 40 people including artists, architects, scientists, and technicians.
Follow Ólafur’s work:
- Website: https://olafureliasson.net/
- Instagram: @studioolafureliasson
Molly Fannon is the CEO of Museum of the United Nations - UN Live, a global institution based in Copenhagen with a mission to “unleash the power of culture to inspire local action and drive global change”. Before joining UN Live, Molly was Director of the Smithsonian’s Office of International Relations and Global Program, leading partnerships with major global organizations such as the World Economic Forum and governments worldwide. Molly’s early career centred around designing and managing largescale international development programs, funded by institutions such as USAID and the World Bank. Her professional experience spans more than 40 countries on 6 continents.
Follow Molly’s work:
- UN Live website: https://www.museumfortheunitednations.com/
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Click here to watch a full video version of this episode.
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https://powerpeopleplanet.org
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Power, People and Planet is produced in association with the Green Economy Coalition, the world’s largest movement for a green and fair economy:
https://greeneconomycoalition.org
Additional support for the podcast was provided by the Robert Bosch Stiftung:
https://www.bosch-stiftung.de/en
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