Point7 (1): A Multimedia Art Installation Reflecting Jamaica’s Environmental Shift
I am excited to share my latest multimedia art installation, Point7 (1), currently on display at the National Gallery of Jamaica for their 50th-anniversary exhibition, ‘Continuity: The Exhibition’ which features over forty artists. The exhibition opened on June 30, 2024 and will run until September 29, 2024.
Point7 (1) encourages viewers to reflect on the importance of each element in the environment and how these elements together tell the story of our climate’s transformation. It hints at discovering a hidden layer of understanding or a key piece of the natural landscape puzzle.
Concept and Inspiration
The artwork is a reflection of my ongoing fascination with the delicate balance of our environment. Jamaica, with its rich and diverse ecosystems, faces significant challenges due to climate change. It aims to capture the essence of these changes and their impact on our landscape.
The Elements of Point7 (1)
The installation includes five videos, each representing a different environmental element in Jamaica:
- Air: Highlights shifting weather patterns and frequent storms.
- Water: Focuses on rising sea levels and changing marine ecosystems.
- Earth: Depicts soil erosion, deforestation, and changing agricultural practices.
- Fire: Represents the increasing risk of heatwaves and their impact.
- Flora/Fauna: Showcases changes in biodiversity, with species adapting, migrating, or facing extinction.
Each video shows how these elements are changing due to climate change.
The Landscape Patterns
Point7 (1) also includes adhesive prints of landscape patterns arranged like a puzzle on the wall. This arrangement symbolizes the interconnectedness and fragility of our environment, with each piece emphasizing the essential role of every element in maintaining the planet’s health.
The Interactive Element
A unique aspect of the installation is its interaction with the surrounding environment, particularly the air conditioner unit near the display. The presence of the air conditioner serves a dual purpose in the gallery space: it maintains the required environment for the artwork while also becoming part of the artwork itself. In this case, the air conditioner’s effect on the adhesive landscape pattern prints highlights the delicate balance between human-made environments and natural elements, reinforcing the artwork’s message about climate change.
I hope this installation inspires viewers to reflect on the importance of our environment and consider their impact on it. I will be adding more images until the exhibition ends on September 29, 2024.
