As part of the Global Co-Commission Project initiated by Alserkal Advisory and the Global Cultural Districts Network, three artists will present new public art installations across different locations. Alserkal Avenue in Dubai will feature the work of Saudi visual artist Muhannad Shono, while Kingston Creative in Jamaica will showcase the art of Camille Chedda, and Victoria Yards in Johannesburg, South Africa, will host Io Makandal’s interdisciplinary art.
Curated by Tairone Bastiena under the theme of climate change, the project, named A Feral Commons, aims to explore the relationships between people and the environment. Each artist will develop a site-specific installation in response to the climate crisis. Vilma Jurkute, executive director of Alserkal Initiatives, emphasized the agency of cultural districts in addressing climate change and creating new narratives through public art.
The collaboration with the Global Cultural Districts Network highlights the project’s goal of improving urban life through the arts and raising awareness about pressing issues. The participating artists are reimagining the terms of public art in the face of climate change, creating works that are not only aesthetically compelling but also functional and generative, according to curator Bastien.
Muhannad Shono’s focus lies in studying unnoticed ecologies thriving within Dubai’s urban environment. His work often incorporates personal, historical, and social elements within strong narratives. For his installation, Shono will explore the connections between art and nature.
Camille Chedda, an artist exploring post-colonial identity in Jamaica, the Caribbean, and the African diaspora, will revitalize a local park that has been neglected and overgrown due to socio-political reasons. Chedda aims to breathe new life into the space and inspire future generations to maintain it as an extension of themselves.
Io Makandal’s artistic practice in Johannesburg addresses ecologies in the urban environment and society’s obsession with development. Makandal will create an installation commenting on the overlooked and polluted Jukskei river that runs through Victoria Yards. The installation aims to raise awareness of the river’s condition and contribute to its restoration and preservation.
The unveiling of the three installations is scheduled for later this year, offering an opportunity for audiences to engage with thought-provoking art that addresses climate change and promotes environmental consciousness. The Global Co-Commission Project reflects the power of art to inspire dialogue, raise awareness, and foster positive change within diverse cultural contexts.