sustainability

Did art help add the sheen to Dubai?

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Rem Koolhaas at the Dubai Next exhibition

The party is over in Dubai. It was always based on a boom. And art is always there when there is a boom. It had its foot in the door of the contemporary art fair circuit. Christies had set up shop there.  The RSA Arts & Ecology Centre took part in the 8th Sharjah Biennial – leading a major symposium on arts and ecology….

Simon Jenkins excoriates those who took part in what was effectively a massive PR to suggest that Dubai was the city of the future, when its sustainability was always in question. As the debt bubble bursts, does the art world share some of that blame for joining in the party?

Go to RSA Arts & Ecology

Bob Usdin of Showman Fabricators Announces First LDI Green Awards

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Bob Usdin of Showman Fabricators, who organized LDI Green Day and the awards for best green product and best green production at this last year’s show in Orlando, is seen here announcing the recipients of those awards.

As a judge for the awards I had the opportunity to get into some great conversations about the products that were are weren’t on the show floor the weekend before Thanksgiving. I also got to ask questions about products that WEREN’T on the show floor.

We’ll be posting more from our LDI wrap-up before Miranda and I are off to Copenhagen to cover the arts festivities around COP15, primarily New Life Copenhagen by wooloo.org,  and maybe get over to Arcola for the launch of their new facilities.

If you need to catch up on all of the greening of LDI here are some links for you to check out:

https://www.sustainablepractice.org/2009/11/19/2009-green-day-ldi

https://www.sustainablepractice.org/2009/10/28/ldi-and-sustainability-part-i

https://www.sustainablepractice.org/2009/10/26/how-green-is-green-no-orangutans-were-harmed-in-the-making-of-this-scenery-aug-2008

https://www.sustainablepractice.org/2009/09/28/green-awards-at-ldi

CSPA Quarterly Calls for International Submissions

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The second edition of the CSPA Quarterly is now open for submissions.  This issue will focus on international eco-policy, policy’s effect on the arts, and the arts’ effect on policy.  The issue will feature news and events from COP15, the UN Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen this December.  Articles from all nations are welcome!

The publication will explore sustainable arts practices in all genres (performance, visual art & installation, music, and film/video), and will view sustainability in the arts through environmentalism, economic stability, and cultural infrastructure. The periodical will provide a formal terrain for discussion, and will evaluate diverse points of views.

Please send your essays, photos, and articles to:  Miranda@SustainablePractice.org

The deadline for consideration is December 22, 2009.

How Green Is Green? | No Orangutans Were Harmed In The Making Of This Scenery | Aug 2008

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This is an excerpt from Robert Usdin’s article for Live Design in April, 2008. Remember that November 19th is Green Day at LDI and they’re looking for nominees for green production of the year.

“No Orangutans Were Harmed In The Making Of This Scenery.” That was a proposed slogan that came out of a brainstorming session during a green marketing seminar held recently at Showman Fabricators. As a New York commercial scene shop, we have made a commitment to sustainability over the last few years and used this seminar as an opportunity to help with future plans. Another idea was edible scenery, but we wont go there. Fortunately, there are many established green practices that have become standard at Showman and other shops, so orangutans and edible scenery can be left out of the marketing plans. Showmans EMS Environmental Management System is a detailed roadmap, structured in two parts, charting a course for personnel to act green. The first part outlines best practices, and the second part provides clients with solid options to greatly lessen the environmental impact their projects have. Getting the word out is the first of many steps to encourage clients to think beyond what theyve always done.

via How Green Is Green? | No Orangutans Were Harmed In The Making Of This Scenery | Aug 2008.

Green Awards at LDI

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LDI – the country’s foremost entertainment industry trade conference – and Showman Fabricators – NYC’s largest and most diverse scenic fabrication shop – are teaming together to bring to the forefront sustainability of the Entertainment Technology field.

Green Awards

One method to accomplish this will be to present two Green Awards at the LDI awards ceremony.  The two awards are the Best Green Product Award and the Best Green Show/Project Award.  These awards, in their inaugural year, will bring a focus to companies who have made strides in the greening of the entertainment technology field.

If you have participated in any shows or projects which have taken steps to create a greener production value, we invite you to nominate the show or project.  We are not limiting the award to shows of a specific size, but rather encourage all those involved in shows or projects which have been able to integrate some measure of sustainability into their production to nominate that production.

nomination process

If you know of a show or event that has made strides, the nomination process is simple.  The linked form will need to be filled out.  Please be as descriptive as possible, and if you need additional space feel free to extend to a second page.  This form is due by October 8th.  Additionally we will require a 2 minute or less electronic presentation (either PowerPoint or video) that will be used at LDI.  Some presentations may be incorporated into the Green Day panels at LDI, and all events will be on display for three days as part of a Green Technology Today Showcase – a booth about sustainability which will be on the tradeshow floor.  These opportunities will give those in the entertainment technology industry a chance to see what you are doing.  This presentation will need to be submitted by October 27th.

criteria

Projects will be judged on several criteria including their originality, use of green techniques, environmental impact, and message to an audience.

awards

Both awards will be presented at the LDI awards ceremony on November 21st however you do not need to be present to win.  LDI will feature the award winners in their magazine and on their website.

questions

Any questions can be directed to Bob Usdin (718.935.9899 or busdin@showfab.com).
For additional information on LDI please visit www.ldishow.com.

Forms

LDI Green Awards Announcement and Nomination Form

LDI Green Awards Nomination Form

APInews: Mapping the Desert/Deserting the Map

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“Mapping the Desert/Deserting the Map” is “an arts-centered investigation” of Californias deserts by UC Riversides Sweeney Art Gallery, October 22-25, 2009. The project also investigates “the new, not-so-new and downright ancient technologies that make such mapping possible.” The four-day gathering, along with a year-long series of events focused on California’s deserts, is partially funded by the University of California Institute for Research in the Arts in association with its new Social Ecologies: California-centric embedded arts research program. the “Dry-immersion Roving Symposium” exploring “widespread concern over environmental, economic and cultural sustainability is fast pushing the desert from the margins to the center of attention in debates on the future of our planet” includes tours of the 29 Palms Marine Base and the lower Colorado desert oasis/dune systems and lectures and discussion on desert issues.

via APInews: Mapping the Desert/Deserting the Map .

LDI is Going Green

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LDI 2009
November 19-22
Orlando, Florida

LDI GREEN DAY
 Full day conference consisting of multiple panels that focus on Green Topics for the Entertainment Industry will be presented on Thursday, November 19.

GREEN TECHNOLOGY TODAY SHOWCASE -PRESENTED BY LDI AND SHOWMAN FABRICATORS
 A booth on the exhibit floor that exclusively displays Green products. This showcase will be a first of its kind opportunity to bring together Green products specific to the entertainment industry.

GREEN AWARDS SPONSORED BY SHOWMAN FABRICATORS
 This years LDI will be the inaugural year for two Green awards at the LDI awards ceremony.

  • The Green Product of the Year will be chosen from exhibitors in the Green Technology Today Showcase.
  • The Green Event/Show of the Year award is open for submissions from anyone in the entertainment/ live event industry. This award specifically spotlights and celebrates a show or event which was able to integrate sustainability into its production.

For more information and to register for the conference please visit www.ldishow.com or contact Bob Usdin at Showman Fabricators (rusdin@showfab.com).

Sponsored by

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Green LDI & Aquila’s “Enemy”

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LDI

Got a nice email from Annie Jacobs over at Showman Fabricators yesterday about their effort to add some green to this year’s LDI. “Showman Fabricators has teamed up with LDI to try to bring the issues of sustainability in our industry to the forefront,” Jacob wrote.

You can check out info on this year’s greener LDI here.

Aquila Theatre presents a Green Tour

I’ve been working on a piece for Jacob Coakley over at Stage Directions about Aquila Theatre’s upcoming touring production of Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People. I’ve spoken with both Peter Meineck, the company’s AD, as well as their Production Manager Nate Terracio. I’ve been very impressed with both of them and their honest, holistic approach to the idea of greening a touring production to the best of their ability. Look for the piece in SD soon, and keep an eye on Aquila’s tour — they might be bringing Enemy to your town. If they do, I’d check it out. 

Go to EcoTheater

State of Climate Art: On FIRE!

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The Arts (music, poetry, theater and film) are one of the best vehicle in which to reach specific target audiences with your message.  Hollywood films (An Inconvenient Truth), Live Aid, and Rock the Vote are some examples that come to mind. However, I think we’re only just scratching the surface and need to more fully integrate sustainability messages into cultural programming. Someone needs to create a Sustainability Hip Hop Dance that rivals the Macarena.  Maybe the movements could simulate recycling?

I’m glad to see eco-luminary, Bill McKibben, agrees with me and is spurring a tidal wave of climate change art. Check out Bill McKibben’s article on the state of climate change art, includes references to many great works of eco-art.  Also check out his 350.org Art Page which showcases the intersection of marketing, art, and climate change.

Go to Eco-Catalysts