future earth PROJECTS
BY Davide Ragazzi
The artist Davide Ragazzi at work in venice
the davide ragazzi’s FUTURE EARTH PROJECTS CONSISTING OF EXHIBITIONS, USER EXPERIENCES AND PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS ON THE THEME OF climate anxiety and eco-anxiety in young people. the artist uses live art and work in progress as creative tools to mitigate these particular forms of anxiety.
The FIRST OF THESE PROJECTS, “FUTURE EARTH, YOUNG PEOPLE CREATIVITY ON CLIMATE CHANGE”, WAS CARRIED OUT IN VENICE, IN 2022. THE SECOND, “WE EARTH”, WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN GENOA, IN 2025.
THE CORE OF BOTH PROJECTS IS A LARGE PAINTED INSTALLATION ON PAPER, WITH ACRYLIC COLOUR, CREATED BY THE ARTIST TOGHETER WITH YOUNG PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.
Davide Ragazzi artist conducted 30 years of art research on the theme of the Earth and Environment visual representation. In this series of projects the artist collaborates with young people from different countries, between 16 and 25 years old, guiding them in the creation of a collective art installation on the Earth of our Future and reflecting, together with them, on environmental, artistic, social and generational issues. The Painting is a catalyst tool to convey the beauty of the Earth, the responsibility for its care and protection to the new generations.
Young people are worried about climate change, vulnerable to increasing climate anxiety and discomfort, related to the perception of a negative response to dialogue, of inadequate actions by adults and governments for the solution of environmental problems. They experience feelings of abandonment, betrayal, moral damage and think that their opinions and anxieties are ignored or rejected by adults and governments*.
The relevance of these projects carried out by Davide Ragazzi is underlined by Prof. Susan Clayton (Psychology and Environmental Studies at the College of Wooster) who states: “I think art can be a very helpful way to allow young people to express and cope with their feelings about climate change”.
Prof. Dr. Antida Gazzola, italian urban sociologist states: “This series of projects by artist Davide Ragazzi is interesting, innovative and at the same time responding to some of the great themes present in this historical period: the environment, the acquisition of skills, the enhancement of art as an engine of knowledge".
“The project is extremely ambitious.” says Davide Ragazzi, “It’s designed to expand the emotions that the artist feels when he paints and to convey these emotions to a wider audience. The initiative in question aims to relate Art, Environment and human relations and represents a creative way to reflect together with young people on the problem of climate change in a more proactive and optimistic way“.
Future Earth, was awarded in the Climate Chance Competition organized by SHYLOCK, University Theater Center of Venice, with the patronage of CNI UNESCO, Ministry for Ecological Transition, CMCC Foundation, WWF Italy, Legambiente, ISDE Italy (10th Edition, Venice 2022).
(*) Susan Clayton, Caroline Hickman, Eric R. Lewandowski, Elouise E. Mayall, Elizabeth Marks, Catriona Mellor, Panu Pinkala, Lise Van Susteren, Britt Wray, “Young People's Voices on Climate Anxiety, Government Betrayal and Moral Injury: A Global Phenomenon”, Lancet 2021.
Davide Ragazzi, “Future Earth. Young People Creativity on Climate Change”, Venice, 2022
Davide Ragazzi, “We Earth”, Genoa, 2025
Concept, Curatorship, Critic Text and Exhibit Design: Enza Di Vinci
Graphic Design: Davide Ragazzi
Music by Massimo Currò
Production: Davide Ragazzi Art Studio
Organization: Davide Ragazzi Art Studio
©Enza Di Vinci
©Davide Ragazzi Art Studio
Sponsor of “Future Earth. Young People Creativity on Climate Change”: GETEC Italia
”GETEC Italia, committed to the sustainable development of the energy sector for present and future generations, has chosen to sponsor the Future Earth event due to the interesting characteristics of the project which is part of GETEC's educational and environmental philosophy” says Giovanni Pontrelli, CEO GETEC Italia.
