Resolutions Exchange seeks through a convivial and lighthearted approach to emphasise our personal contribution to the ‘tipping point’* of climate change, first running early 2009. I encouraged as many people as possible to participate whether believing in climate change or not. I gathered personal eco-sins and eco-successes, starting with my own, unsigned, which were then visible to all. By totalling up the sins and successes the count represented a crude measure of the tipping point balance in January 2009. I also encouraged people to make some eco-resolutions for the new year based on their eco-assessment of the past year.
I intend to run this work over the next few years to see if we are making a difference year on year or if as Private Fraser in Dad’s Army said ‘we’re all doomed’ by our own inability to change.
* The ‘tipping point’ in climatology is the point in the evolution of the earth’s climate leading to irreversible change. Immediate indicators are the melting of the Artic ice in the summer, the Greenland ice sheet and the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The ‘tipping point’ some argue has already been passed, and some argue it will not happen, however the consensus is that it will happen within the next 10 years.
My confessions on leaflet
Installation…
Resolutions Exchange, 2009
Birdwood House kitchen, Saturday 10th, 17th and 24th January, 10.30am to 5pm; Plymouth University Library Foyer, Wednesday 4th February, 11am to 4pm
Participative installation, comprising:
• A4 gatefold leaflet
preprinted with my own confession of eco-sins and eco-successes of 2008, and instructions about how to participate on one side. On the reverse is space for the participants to write their own eco-sins and successes and resolutions for 2009
• Copy machine and copy paper
so that participants can take away their list and follow the project on-line if they wish and I can have a copy to display and reproduce
• Pin board for participant contributions
Hand written (largely) and the sins and successes are totaled individually
• Large roll of paper
headed Resolutions Exchange and below dividing the paper vertically in two halves heading of Sins and Successes. Below this is the tally written as ‘llll’ on each side, according to the totals of participant contributions. The balance indicating how our totaled behaviour as a crude measure is contributing the climate change
• Cakes
made from organic ingredients (also gluten free for me, although not diary free). Further refreshments could be available according to the location of the event, such as tea and coffee. Paper bags optional
• Table and chairs