Ashley Glisson
HUM 102
11/4/24
Climate change is a pressing issue that has been portrayed in various creative works
across different humanities subject areas. In visual art, Olafur Eliasson's "Ice Watch" installation
features large blocks of ice from Greenland, arranged in public spaces to raise awareness about
climate change. This installation brings the reality of melting ice caps directly to urban
environments, making the issue tangible and immediate, evoking a sense of urgency and
profound sadness for the rapid changes occurring in our environment. This also causes a rise in
sea water, invoking more issues!
In performing arts, "The Great Immensity" by The Civilians is a musical play that
explores themes of climate change and environmental activism. This work uses storytelling and
music to engage the audience emotionally and intellectually, evoking feelings of hope, despair,
and a call to action, reflecting the complex emotions surrounding climate change. In literary arts,
"The Water Knife" by Paolo Bacigalupi is a dystopian novel set in a future where water is scarce
due to climate change. This novel paints a vivid picture of a possible future if we do not address
climate change, evoking fear, tension, and a deep concern for the future.
Examining one work in depth, Olafur Eliasson's "Ice Watch" conveys the urgency of
climate change by physically bringing pieces of melting ice to the public. This installation helps
the audience make sense of the topic by providing a direct, sensory experience of the melting ice,
symbolizing the larger issue of global warming and ice cap melting. Experiencing this work
helps the audience understand the tangible effects of climate change. Seeing and touching the
ice, feeling it melt, and realizing its origin from a distant, endangered environment makes the
abstract concept of climate change more concrete and immediate. This experience can inspire a
deeper emotional connection and a stronger motivation to take action against climate change.
HUM 102
11/4/24
Climate change is a pressing issue that has been portrayed in various creative works
across different humanities subject areas. In visual art, Olafur Eliasson's "Ice Watch" installation
features large blocks of ice from Greenland, arranged in public spaces to raise awareness about
climate change. This installation brings the reality of melting ice caps directly to urban
environments, making the issue tangible and immediate, evoking a sense of urgency and
profound sadness for the rapid changes occurring in our environment. This also causes a rise in
sea water, invoking more issues!
In performing arts, "The Great Immensity" by The Civilians is a musical play that
explores themes of climate change and environmental activism. This work uses storytelling and
music to engage the audience emotionally and intellectually, evoking feelings of hope, despair,
and a call to action, reflecting the complex emotions surrounding climate change. In literary arts,
"The Water Knife" by Paolo Bacigalupi is a dystopian novel set in a future where water is scarce
due to climate change. This novel paints a vivid picture of a possible future if we do not address
climate change, evoking fear, tension, and a deep concern for the future.
Examining one work in depth, Olafur Eliasson's "Ice Watch" conveys the urgency of
climate change by physically bringing pieces of melting ice to the public. This installation helps
the audience make sense of the topic by providing a direct, sensory experience of the melting ice,
symbolizing the larger issue of global warming and ice cap melting. Experiencing this work
helps the audience understand the tangible effects of climate change. Seeing and touching the
ice, feeling it melt, and realizing its origin from a distant, endangered environment makes the
abstract concept of climate change more concrete and immediate. This experience can inspire a
deeper emotional connection and a stronger motivation to take action against climate change.
