Transforming Chattanooga's Landscape: The Artsbuild Climate Project

In a groundbreaking initiative, the non-profit Artsbuild has unveiled the Chattanooga Art and Climate Project, a visionary endeavor aimed at harnessing the power of the arts to address pressing climate-related issues. This innovative project is set to captivate the community and inspire meaningful dialogues around the critical challenges facing the Rossville Boulevard Corridor.

Igniting Awareness, Weathering the Storm

Inflating Awareness: Monumental Sculptures Symbolize Climate Realities

Towering over Crabtree Farms, two massive inflatable sculptures have been erected, each representing a distinct element of the climate crisis. One sculpture, symbolizing fire and heat, stands as a stark reminder of the intensifying temperatures and the need for urgent action. The other, embodying water and flooding, serves as a poignant symbol of the rising waters and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. These monumental artworks, created by nationally recognized artist Adam Frelin, are designed to capture the attention of the community and spark meaningful conversations about the climate challenges they face.

Amplifying Voices: Soundtracks and Community Narratives

Accompanying the sculptures is a specially composed soundtrack that features interviews with residents from the Rossville area. This innovative approach allows the community's voices to be heard, providing a platform for their personal experiences and perspectives on the climate-related issues they confront daily. By weaving these narratives into the artistic experience, the Chattanooga Art and Climate Project aims to create a deeper connection between the art and the lived realities of the people it seeks to serve.

Collaborative Creativity: Local Artists Contribute Companion Pieces

The Chattanooga Art and Climate Project has also enlisted the talents of three local artists, who have created their own companion pieces to complement the monumental sculptures. One such artist, Chase Guajardo from Scenic City Clay Arts, is crafting a collection of alebrije sculptures – a traditional Mexican folk art form – to be distributed to various non-profits along the Rossville Boulevard Corridor. These additional artworks are designed to further engage the community and foster meaningful dialogues around the project's central themes.

Mobilizing the Community: Temporary Installations and Ongoing Engagement

The Chattanooga Art and Climate Project is not a one-time event, but rather a dynamic and evolving initiative. The monumental sculptures will be moved to various locations throughout the remainder of 2024, allowing the community to engage with the artwork and the messages it conveys at different points in time. This approach aims to maintain a sustained focus on the climate-related challenges facing the Rossville Boulevard Corridor and to inspire ongoing conversations and actions within the community.

Artsbuild's Vision: Harnessing the Power of the Arts for Climate Action

At the heart of the Chattanooga Art and Climate Project is Artsbuild's unwavering commitment to leveraging the arts as a powerful tool for addressing pressing societal issues. As James McKissic, the president of Artsbuild, explains, "We've been challenging ourselves to think about ways that the arts can address issues that we're dealing with right now." This project represents a bold and innovative step in that direction, using the transformative power of art to raise awareness, amplify community voices, and inspire meaningful action around the climate crisis.

A Beacon for the Community: Sparking Dialogue and Driving Change

The Chattanooga Art and Climate Project is more than just a collection of artworks; it is a beacon for the community, a catalyst for dialogue, and a driving force for change. As McKissic eloquently states, "This sculpture is really a beacon for the community to kind of get people's attention, get them thinking about how they are experiencing and addressing climate issues in their particular neighborhoods." By engaging the community through these captivating and thought-provoking installations, the project aims to ignite a spark that will ultimately lead to tangible actions and solutions to the climate challenges faced by the Rossville Boulevard Corridor.