"Art offers us another language that can reach into people’s consciousness with fresh urgency." - Helen Marriage, Artichoke

As world leaders meet in Madrid for the COP25 climate change conference, the light and sound installation will invite the public to experience and reflect on animated scenes depicting the consequences of climate change as they unfold beneath their feet. Issues captured in the vibrant projected landscape and accompanying soundscape will range from deforestation and bee extinction, to coral bleaching and global warming.

An original, synchronised soundtrack produced by composer Ed Carter accompanies projected patterning running in a continuous sequence o create a sense of constant motion and urgency. The score draws on climate and environmental data from 1880 to the present day, combined with recordings from the natural world that reference the changing visual imagery. The music reflects the alarming rates of change observed across climate indicators, including arctic sea ice volume, seasonal monthly temperature, global forest cover, and the decline in UK pollinating insects, among others. 

Developed in collaboration with textile artist Hazel Dunn, NOVAK’s work draws on the tradition of textile design as a medium for storytelling, playing with geometric patterns, bold colour and texture. In Imminence, the striking juxtaposition between vibrant aesthetic and sombre subject matter encourages people to look twice and consider the reality of the climate emergency.