I developed this program to focus on the critical scientific, political, economic and social issues of climate change through powerful and provocative films, art, conversation, and social action. For greater community awareness, this program reached passed the Montclair Cooperative School and also involved Montclair Film, the documentary series, Years of Living Dangerously and Montclair High School in this partnership.

• To start the dialogue, MHS and Co-op students viewed Collapse of the Ocean, from the documentary series Years of Living Dangerously

• During an assembly at MHS, over 500 students engaged in a conversation with Ocean’s Director Martha Jeffries; marine biologist and policy expert, Dr. Ayana Johnson; and 17-year-old environmental activist, Iris Fen Gillingham from the Earth Guardians

• Created an Action Kit for teachers and students which provided accessible tools for social change - http://www.montclairfilm.org/sak2017/

• A conceptual prototype called WATER/AIR made from plastic bottles and bags was created by the Co-op 7th grade. The community was invited to attend a series of Climate Action Workshops to add to the artwork 

• A photobooth was set up to send climate change messages through social media

• The final 30’ by 15’ ART/WATER piece was installed on the exterior wall of Montclair Film during the festival week

• An anti water bottle public service announcement was created by a small group of 7th and 8th graders which was uploaded onto social media platforms

AIR/WATER Installation, 2017
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) - Petroleum Product 
(Plastic water bottles and bags)
12 x 18 feet
Montclair Film, Montclair Cooperative School 
& Year’s of Living Dangerously

This conceptual piece of art is made entirely from plastic, that in its raw state, is a petroleum product. Bottling water produces more than 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year, both air and ocean water absorbs CO2. These plastics are the tangible things that are being used to illustrate the problem of having too much CO2 in our air and ocean water.  The innocence of these vernacular objects creates a powerful message when forced to understand its underlining reality. Large sheets of plastic water bottles have been tied together creating a visual of texture and reflection. The upper two thirds of the piece (made from plastic water bottlers) represents air and the lower third (made from single-use plastic bags) represents the oceans.

The original idea was generated by art teacher and art activist Debbie Harner with her 7th graders from the Montclair Cooperative School, the community than came together during a series of workshops to add to the size of the piece.  The plastic water bottles become unrecognizable due to the sheer number of bottles diminishing its original form. Local artist, Sofia Bochravova, also collaborated in creating the jellyfish inspired sea creatures for the installation during the Climate Workshops.  The creatures appear to gently swim amongst the sea of plastic as they hang suspended 15 feet above the viewer’s head. At first glance, the overall impression of the work is quite beautiful due to its reflective quality and immense size, however on closer inspection the reality of the problem this world is facing with plastics leaves the viewer repulsed. The art installation is scheduled to travel and evolve as communities and schools raise awareness and bring their own voice to this important issue of climate change.