On April 23, Alejandro Meitin, founder of Ala Plástica, director of Casa Río Argentina and Earth Charter Affiliate, made a presentation at the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States, on occasion of the 12th Earth Day Conference.
This panel called “Stories, aesthetics and transformation politics” addressed the question: How does narrative, aesthetic and political work change conversations about environmental issues and what we consider “environmental”?
Considering that journalism, film, and stage art are used to convey and illustrate the interconnectedness of humanity with nature, in interesting and sometimes powerful ways, the tools and forms of expression have evolved, but the desire to celebrate, protect, understand and communicate the connection of humanity with the Earth and the responsibility for it remains constant.
Also participating were Justin Gillis, editor of The New York Times on environmental issues, filmmaker Emmanuel Urey, and cultural critic and artist Brian Holmes. On that occasion, Alejandro spoke about the Earth Charter and took the opportunity to disseminate it through the different moments in which he presented.
During his presentation, Alejandro emphasized, “Art is a vehicle for the construction of new imaginaries that feed the symbolic magmas that stimulate human action.” This is a decisive moment for artists of all branches to incorporate and find inspiration in the values of the Earth Charter, collaborating in the deconstruction of the self-destructive myths that guide the destiny of humanity. ”
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Earth Day Conference
12th Annual Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
Let’s Talk About the Environment: Storytelling, Aesthetics, and the Politics of Transformation
Monday, April 23, 2018
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Artists, writers, and activists provide narratives for understanding environmental complexity.
The tools and forms of expression have evolved, but the desire to celebrate, protect, understand, and communicate humanity’s connection to and responsibility for the Earth remains constant.
How does narrative, aesthetic, and political work shift conversations about environmental issues and what we consider to be “environmental”? Journalism, film, and performance art are all used to convey and illustrate the interconnectedness of humanity to nature in interesting, and sometimes powerful ways.
MODERATOR: Alexandra LaKind, Doctoral Student, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, UW-Madison
Justin Gillis, former New York Times editor and environmental reporter
Brian Holmes, Professor of Philosophy, The European Graduate School
Alejandro Meitin, artist, lawyer, environmental activist and co-founder of the art collective Ala Plástica
Emmanuel Urey, Doctoral Student, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, UW-Madison
More details at:
https://www.nelson.wisc.edu/events/earth-day/2018/index.php
https://www.nelson.wisc.edu/about/nelson-legacy.php
https://nelson.wisc.edu/events/earth-day/2018/speakers.php