Art, Biodiversity, and Action
An insight into the conversation between artist group SUPERFLEX, ART 2030, and Professor Carsten Rahbek, exploring action for biodiversity
By ART 2030
SUPERFLEX & ART 2030
Between Art and Science - A conversation on Biodiversity and the Interspecies Assembly (2021) by ART 2030ART 2030
Our Success Comes From Being Part Of Nature
says Professor Carsten Rahbek
Biodiversity: A Key To Success
Birds, Humans, Fish, Plants: there are many millions of species that we share our planet with.
The combination and variety of species makes up the most complex feature of our planet, that is also the most vital. That variety is biodiversity.
Biodiversity is the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. For humans, animals, plants and insects: it's impossible to live without it.
Biodiversity is the resource upon we as individuals, communities, nations and future generations depend. It is the link between organisms, binding each into an interdependent community or ecosystem in which all living creatures have their place and role.
"Biodiversity is life - it is life in all its forms" Professor Carsten Rahbek (2021) by ART 2030ART 2030
What is biodiversity?
Professor Carsten Rahbek (University of Copenhagen) explains
Biodiverse ecosystems sustain human life in a myriad of ways, cleaning our air, purifying our water, ensuring our availability of nutritious foods, nature-based medicines and raw materials, and reducing the occurrence of disasters.
Biodiversity is, simply, a prerequisite for our modern, prosperous human society to exist, and to continue to thrive.
Superkilen, SUPERFLEX. Octopus, Black Square. (2012) by SUPERFLEXART 2030
Interactions Between Life and Environment
A thriving and biodiverse ecologies are filled with sustainable interactions between species and environments.
A thriving and biodiverse planet - is a planet that holds us steady.
But these vital interactions on our planet are becoming increasingly imbalanced. As a result, many species and ecosystems across our planet are disappearing.
Experience Climate As An Animal, SUPERFLEX. (2009) by SUPERFLEXART 2030
The Earth is estimated to have lost about half of its shallow water corals in the past 30 years. A fifth of the Amazon has disappeared in just 50 years. Wildlife species are disappearing tens to hundreds of times faster now than in the past 10 million years.
We have unleashed a mass extinction event, the sixth in roughly 540 million years, and the implications for human society and well-being are manifold.
We are the first generation that has a clear picture of the value of nature and the grave situation we are facing. We may also be the last generation that can do something about it.
That means we have now a unique opportunity to influence the shape of global agreements and targets on biodiversity, climate and sustainable development – for a positive future for nature and people.
A Conversation between SUPERFLEX and Professor Carsten Rahbek on the Interspecies Assembly (2021) by ART 2030ART 2030
So What Can We Start Doing?
"...We have to learn to listen. And that is the most difficult task" says SUPERFLEX's Bjørnstjerne Christiansen
Superkilen, SUPERFLEX. Green Park. (2012) by SUPERFLEXART 2030
Human activity—how we feed, fuel, and finance our lives—is taking a toll on wildlife, wild places, and the natural resources we need to survive.
Humanity’s demands have far exceeded what Earth can renew.
How can art support the vital interactions we need for a biodiverse world?
A Conversation between SUPERFLEX and Professor Carsten Rahbek on the Interspecies Assembly (2021) by ART 2030ART 2030
SUPERFLEX proposes art to invite humans to return time and space to the species around us
The more we work to mend these interactions across a variety of species and ecosystems, the more we work to protect biodiversity. Biodiversity is not only essential part of Global Goal 14: Life below Water and Global Goal 15: Life on Land, but also to achieving all of the United Nations's 17 Global Goals.
A Conversation between SUPERFLEX and Professor Carsten Rahbek on the Interspecies Assembly (2021) by ART 2030ART 2030
And at the very core of it all - to come to the understanding that we are not alone.
Interspecies Assembly by SUPERFLEX for ART 2030 debuts in September 2021 during the 76th United Nations General Assembly.
Interspecies Assembly by SUPERFLEX for ART 2030 is a project that features the works Interspecies Assembly and Vertical Migration. The project is generously supported by New Carlsberg Foundation, The Obel Family Foundation, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, The Ministry of Culture Denmark, Beckett Fonden and the Danish Arts Foundation.
Vertical Migration is commissioned by ART 2030 and TBA21–Academy, and supported by Avatar Alliance Foundation, Dalio Philanthropies, Ocean X, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, New Carlsberg Foundation, The Obel Family Foundation, Beckett Fonden, and Danish Arts Foundation.
The Interspecies Assembly project was developed in close collaboration with Kollision and KWY.studio.
ART 2030’s Biodiversity Focus is generously supported by the Hempel Foundation.
Interview Videos are kindly supported by the Danish Arts Foundation.
