Creating a Climate for Healing

Aim

Sub-saharan Africa Creating a Climate for Healing: Context-Based Environmental Actions . Arts & Climate Activism Project in Zambia

What is the Project?

Context-Based Environmental Actions In The Performing Arts

The damage done to our earth and the environment through the exploitation of its resources has an unparalleled adverse effect on the capacity of the earth to keep sustaining our way of living. Collectively, our own healing is parallel to mother earth itself. You have the chance to do something powerful, be part of the solution and support creatives in Africa that are making a difference 

What Do We Want to Achieve?

'We see our healing as a parallel to Mother Earth itself and are working towards creating a project that focuses on transformation. We want to do activism through art and create the transformation we want to see.

In Spring 2024, Chanje Kunda, a Zambian-born UK based International performance artist (www.chanjekunda.com) will work with a Zambian creative team and : Lusaka Contemporary Art Centre (https://lusakacontemporary.com/)  to create site specific performance for digital media on sites in Zambia that are affected by environmental issues, which will be made into a digital art film featuring voiceover of poetry that calls for change.

Through Kunda’s Track Record of International touring, the aim is to present this high quality digital art exhibition launched in Lusaka in phase 1, then curate an international digital distribution through international arts festivals and venues, alongside online social media campaign to highlight climate issues and prevent further environmental degradation. A public awareness campaign will lobby for change.

Zambia-based Visual artist Serah Chule, will concurrently be working with prominent Zambian artists to curate and produce a group exhibition 'Creating a Climate for Healing' to present internationally to lobby for change, and to highlight climate issues in Sub-Saharan Africa on a global platform. The digital art film and group exhibition will Premiere at LUCAC before being made available for international touring via Kunda's extensive networks from previous international touring. 

Artist Serah Chule  (Left) and Chanje   (right)  

We will also  set up and resource a fixed term community outreach program for young people in the shanty compounds in collaboration with Chongwe Community Art Gallery. Below is Lusaka Contemporary Arts Centre, where this digital art exhibition will premiere before being available for international distribution.

Issues we Want to Highlight:

In Southern Africa including most recently, North West Zambia, Cobolt mining is fast turning from a miracle metal to a deadly chemical, as toxic dumping is devastating landscapes, polluting water and contaminating crops. As cobalt is radioactive, it is linked to birth defects and is injurious to the health of miners. A further environmental impact of cobalt mining is the hazy air surrounding the mines, full of dust and grit, and  is toxic to breathe.

The solution is reducing the demand for cobalt in the lithium-ion batteries found in electric devices. Perhaps this can be done through the public recycling broken electronics containing cobalt rather than throwing them away, therefore reducing the demand for cobalt mining.  

The Copperbelt mining industries have caused acid poisoning of rivers like Kafue which downstream supplies water to Zambia’s capital city. The Kabwe Lead Poisoning (Currently in a class action) is a century-long public health catastrophe caused by mining (www.childrenofkabwe.com). In addition to these, lack of plastic recycling in the country has meant that discarded plastic blights the cities.

Why We Need Funding?

This Crowdfunder is the only way to make this project happen. Despite being a commonwealth country, It's outside the UK so cannot get Arts Council England Funding and the  British Council international funders are not currently open for project funding for most of Sub-Saharan Africa.

We require £25,000 to provide the technology and employ Zambian creatives freelancers, so we can film what is happening on the Continent of Africa and present it digitally back to the countries who are exploiting its resources. Not only Greta Thunberg or global north has something to say.

 Employing Zambian based creatives including  director, art director, sound designer, camera operators and post production specialists, we are creating opportunities for employment and for their work to be shared on an international platform. You can help them to have voice on a global issue. This project  funding will also provide equipment needed to create, edit and exhibit the digital art, market it internationally.  

We will also deliver workshops for young talents in Shanty Compounds. Zambian creatives will be able to tell their own stories to the international community, and to inspire change in mining practices and the procurement of minerals from Africa. Zambian Artists will also have access to the equipment via the gallery for future arts and activism or or cultural  projects

This project successfully funded on 26th December 2023