Multifaceted Impact

Art to change minds

All experts agree that the climate crisis is the challenge of the 21st century and that a race against time is on. A race to try to preserve our natural habitat in its beauty and diversity, to protect our ecosystems, our natural resources and pass them on to future generations. Beyond the political and legal agreements that are essential to prepare the future, change requires an evolution of mentalities, a different way of considering the place of humans in nature.

This change in mentality can be brought about by artists, who have the capacity to change the way we look at the world, and who produce universal messages. And because the place of digital technology in the social debate is growing, because consciences are now also forged online, we decided to focus on these digital artists who take up the theme of life and biodiversity: they contribute to the emergence of a consciousness to think about the reconciliation of humanity with itself and with life, and represent, in an assertive way or not, a form of Art committed to the environment that we could call green artivism.

This is why Culture For Causes Network has created a digital art exhibition with the support of UNESCO.

The works presented explore the theme of the reconciliation of humanity with itself and with the living, with the aim of questioning our species on the necessity of the change of posture that we must adopt towards the other forms of life. They invite humans to a face-to-face encounter with living beings in order to underline the interdependence, the history and the common destiny of species, but also the certain interest in an intelligent cohabitation. Whether it is through a meditative contemplation of the living, through the borrowing of facts and scientific data from biology or the theory of evolution, biodiversity is at the heart of this exhibition. The works also invite a poetic reflection on the reconciliation and co-habitation of species.

The first NFT art exhibition organized at UNESCO HQ in Paris

Hosted for the first time at the UNESCO HQ in Paris in November 2022 -as a side event of the UNESCO event called the Earth University– this exhibition broke new ground by being the first NFT (Non-Fungible Token) art showcase ever held at this esteemed venue. Displayed on state-of-the-art 4K screens, the artworks spanned a range of styles, from digital reinterpretations of classical oil paintings to cutting-edge generative art and protest posters.

Accompanying the exhibition is a comprehensive brochure that delves into the creativity and commitment of these artists. Far from being just a secondary component, this brochure serves as a testament to the burgeoning digital art scene—specifically in the realm of crypto-art, which has often been unfairly criticized for its financial associations. Crypto-artists are not merely participants in a financial market; they are genuine artists responding to the complexities, uncertainties, and aspirations of our times.

A travelling art exhibition

Beyond its initial run at UNESCO, “Reconciliation with the Living” has taken on a new life as a traveling exhibition, thus amplifying its reach and impact, notably in Florence and Lisbon. This dynamic evolution underscores the project’s objective to galvanize a broader artistic movement around the theme of environmental conservation.

The Extended Exhibition: Learning, Discussing, Networking

In addition to serving as a revolutionary art showcase, “Reconciliation with the Living” presents an invaluable platform for education and dialogue. Recognizing the importance of fostering the next generation of artists and thinkers, the exhibition can be accompanied by a series of masterclasses aimed at onboarding young artists into the world of crypto-art and environmental activism. Moreover, to delve deeper into the critical issues that the exhibition raises, panel discussions can be organized around themes such as the intersection of blockchain technology and environmental sustainability. These discussions provide attendees with a more nuanced understanding of the complexities and potential solutions to the challenges we face. For those looking to network and engage in collaborative discussions, meetups can also be organized, offering an ideal setting for like-minded individuals to connect and possibly catalyze future initiatives.

For instance, in this round-table discussion organized by MuseumWeek on 26 November 2022 at UNESCO HQ (Paris) on the occasion of “Reconciliation with the living”, 4 high-level actors from the world of blockchain industry explored these issues to bring light on the environmental impact of blockchain technology and NFTs, but also on the contributions of NFTs in supporting the environmental cause. The panel included:

• Irina Karagyaur (Head of Ecosystem Growth and Business Development at Unique Network)

• Sharfina Adamantine (co-founder of GainForest)

• Alessandro Mazzi (Head of Partnerships & Field Research at Sovereign Nature)

• Audric Balssa, Senior Climate Expert & Digital Impact Specialist at Greenly.

Additionally, the exhibition features a set of educational panels that can either be integrated directly into the exhibition layout or made available for download.

Fundraising Through Artivism

The ‘Reconciliation with the Living’ exhibition offers more than just a cultural and educational experience; it serves as a powerful fundraising mechanism for environmental causes. By aligning art with activism, the exhibition creates a compelling platform that attracts a diverse audience, including philanthropists, activists, and art enthusiasts alike. The use of NFTs provides a unique opportunity for financial contributions, allowing supporters to acquire digital art pieces as a form of investment in both the artistic and environmental spheres. Beyond individual sales, the event can host auctions, pledge drives, or donation-based interactive activities, each designed to channel resources directly to environmental initiatives. By marrying artistic endeavor with a dire global cause, the exhibition turns the act of artistic appreciation into a tangible contribution toward a sustainable future.

In November 2022, more than 250 k€ were raised for non-profit organisations devoted to environmental and cultural causes.

Urban exhibition

During 3 weeks and on the occasion of the Paris edition of the exhibition, a massive digital campaign was launched on the network of 1350 screens of Phenix Digital in the streets of France, totalizing 12+ Million unique viewers.