The climate emergency told to the young generations by 25 students of an art school in Rome, accompanied by two scientists from INGV: here is "ClimArt - images of change", the project carried out by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) and from the Liceo Artistico "Alessandro Caravillani" in Rome to transmit and communicate, through the universal language of art, scientific evidence on the state of health of our planet.
To learn more about this project, which has resulted in a book and an exhibition, we interviewed Spina Cianetti and Daniele Melini, INGV researchers and editors of the book published by Pacini Editore and INGV Editore.
Daniele, What does the CLIMART Project consist of and how was it born?
The CLIMART project is a meeting between two INGV researchers and a group of fourth year students from the Liceo Artistico Alessandro Caravillani of Rome and was born from the curiosity of these young people towards some issues, in particular that of climate change, which is dealt with by INGV.
In November 2020 we organized a first scientific seminar on the subject for the school. The students were very interested, so much so that they asked us for further information. From that moment the idea of starting this project was born, where the students are personally involved as they are called to re-elaborate the theme of climate change through the language of art and guided by their own sensitivities.
How did you support the students during this experience?
We have organized several meetings, initially of scientific study on the theme of "vital signs of the planet", i.e. the indicators that describe the extent of climate change, in particular on ecosystems.
Subsequently, the elaboration phase of the works began and the meetings were an opportunity for discussion of the creations. These impressed us strongly: the students were able to represent some aspects of climate change in an extremely effective and original way. Furthermore, during the project, we found strong support from the teaching staff who supported and motivated the students while keeping their enthusiasm high.
Spina, the book "ClimArt - images of change" was born from this project. What message do you want to convey to the reader?
The book aims to awaken in consciences the awareness that it is no longer possible to postpone common actions to protect the environment through the graphic and pictorial works created by the students.
The volume deals with crucial issues related to the climate emergency: the greenhouse effect, global warming, rising sea levels, sustainable development and threats to ecosystems.
In the initial chapter there is an introduction of a scientific-popular nature in which we tell the scientific evidence on the state of health of the Earth, which clarifies phenomena and imbalances that for several decades now have called for the responsibility to implement concrete actions and behaviors to save it.
In your opinion, what is the novelty of CLIMART?
Definitely telling science through a language that is completely different from what we are used to, that of emotions. In fact, each student was struck by a particular aspect of the theme of climate change and conveyed that feeling through a work.
The creations represent food for thought, show how the behavior of adults is perceived by young people, try to stimulate the observer and make him think about the contingent situations that young people will have to deal with in the near future.
Daniele, CLIMART will soon also be an exhibition. Where and when will it be inaugurated?
The pictorial and graphic works collected in the volume will be exhibited in the Villino Corsini Library - Villa Pamphilj, Rome, from Saturday 26 February to Sunday 6 March and it will be possible to visit the exhibition during the library's opening hours.
Furthermore, on Saturday 26 February, starting at 11:00, we will hold the presentation of the volume, which will be opened by the President of INGV prof. Carlo Doglioni. Will be present together with the protagonists prof. Carlo Eufemi, Headmaster of the Caravillani High School, Dr. Leonardo Sagnotti, Director of the INGV Environment Department and expert on climate change, and Prof. Manuela Policicchio, representing the team of teachers who followed the project.
Thorn, to conclude. What are the next steps of the project?
We would also like to take the exhibition to other places, such as some scientific dissemination center or the Science Festival in Rome.
The relationship with the students was established and a valuable collaboration ensued; we would be very pleased to carry it forward, also through new initiatives.