- Words Miriam Balanescu
The 1975, Miguel, Grimes, Jorja Smith and more rally to protect the planet with a new audio-visual event raising awareness.
The impending climate crisis has been a hot topic for governments and leaders around the world, with many climate activists growing frustrated at the unwillingness of major companies to make a change. Now, some of the biggest pop stars on the planet are drawing together to mobilize action.
60,000 square feet of multimedia installations from music industry heavyweights will unfurl for an upcoming event flagging climate change, titled Undercurrent.
Among those promising to lend their voices are The 1975, Bon Iver, Jorja Smith, Khruangbin, Jayda G, Mount Kimbie, Nosaj Thing, Aluna, Actress, and Miguel. Grimes, recently revealed to be joining the event, has been particularly vocal about the aims of Undercurrent. Her contribution to the immersive event is a continuation of her prior interest in AI and art.
“If we don’t protect the environment, the future of consciousness will be artificial, not biological,” Grimes has spoken ahead of her respective installation. “Would mental health and wellness even be relevant in a world where emotions aren’t an evolutionary advantage?”
Undercurrent will be highlighting the work of three climate change charities, Kiss the Ground, Ocean Conservancy, and Global Forest Generation.
The event hopes to “bring together musicians, artists, creatives, and climate experts to present their reactions to the climate crisis through new interactive multimedia installations”.
Grimes continued: “AI meditations were created by a generative language program that was provided with meditations made by humans and, based off of those models, created its own meditations without the guiding aid of human emotion. Personally, I find beauty in this work, but it represents a distinct artistic shift from things written by humans.”
“This work isn’t critical of AI, but rather a neutral depiction of what the wellness landscape might look like without us.”
Undercurrent will take place in New York on 9th September 2021. Tickets can be purchased here.