Visual art, film and interdisciplinary conversations between the sciences and the arts dominate the programme of this event, which focuses on climate change and the environment. Presented for the second year running, the main intention of this symposium is to probe the connections between scientific discourse and artistic production in an attempt to refine the expression of issues of climate change through artistic work. The symposium comprises art exhibitions, film screenings, a cartoon workshop, presentations by keynote speakers and panel discussions.
There is a growing consciousness of the abuse wrought on our natural environment. Whether it has been pure greed, mismanagement, carelessness or at best, ignorance, the lack of sensitivity towards our only home has come back to haunt us. The arts are well placed to develop a consciousness of habits and destructive behaviour - visually arresting, charged with metaphor
and symbol, visual arts and performance have the power to move, startle and deepen one's consciousness.
On Friday evening, Professor Mark New, vice chancellor at UCT and director of the African Climate and Development Initiative, will deliver the keynote address followed by the opening of two exhibitions, Facing the Climate and Ekduo.
The opening rounds up with the screening of The Age of Stupid which stars Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite (In The Name of the Father, The Usual Suspects) as a man living in the devastated future world of 2055, looking back at old footage from our time.
Saturday brings together a range of speakers and the screening of short films. These presentations will be followed by the screening of a selection of short films on climate change from the series, Letters from the Sky, curated by Kai Lossgott.
The Hot Water Symposium also comprises a workshop and the screenings of several other films, including Stories of the Future by Xolelwa Nhlabatsi. This film traces the work of Johannesburg's Drama For Life Company who used performance interventions at the 2011 COP17, focusing on environmental sustainability, the severe effects of climate change on the individual, as well as our global survival into the future.
This dynamic and thought-provoking symposium is free of charge and open to all, but booking is essential. The full programme will be available at www.gipca.uct.ac.za from Friday 14 September.
