Environmental awareness group Clean Air Fund has pleaded with world leaders to take action against air pollution at COP29, through a new art installation by Azerbaijani artist, Faig Ahmed.
Commissioned in collaboration with London-based creative agency Don’t Panic, the art piece consists of a 7.6 metre carpet painted with black Azerbaijani miniatures representing air pollution as the black carbon in our atmosphere.
‘Black Whirl: A Warning to a Polluted World’ is currently housed in a 12th-century Caravanserai in Baku’s Old Town, occupied by Goals House for the duration of the conference.
Clean Air Fund’s founder and CEO, Jane Burston commented: “Air pollution is a silent but pervasive force, harming our health, cutting lives short, and warming our planet. Art has a unique way of reaching people, stirring minds and hearts to make this often invisible issue impossible to ignore.
“As global leaders, industry professionals, and activists gather at Goals House, to discuss accelerating progress towards the climate goals, the Black Whirl installation will serve as a powerful reminder of what’s at stake and why urgent action on air pollution is needed now.”
Subscribe to Marketing Beat for free
Sign up here to get the latest agency-related news sent straight to your inbox each morning
The installation aims to shed light on the issue of air pollution and the impact of pollutants such as black carbon, as well as promote conversation on the issue among the participants of the COP29 conference.
Artist Faig Ahmed said: “Art must be environmentally conscious, demonstrating that sustainable practices are possible and essential. While the artist and public figures play a role, responsibility extends to everyone — each of us should take meaningful, collective action”
According to the Clean Air Fund, air pollution causes more than eight million deaths globally every year, with 99% of the population globally breathing in air that exceeds the World Health Organisation’s guideline limits.
Don’t Panic, senior creative Georgia Stephenson said: “The Goals House venue is a meeting place for Global Leaders to discuss the agenda of the Climate Conference, which means it’s the perfect opportunity to spotlight air pollution as an urgent issue,” added, Don’t Panic, senior creative Georgia Stephenson.
“Ahmed’s traditional Azerbaijani craft is beautiful and culturally sensitive but has an urgent contemporary message: a warning to decision-makers not to ignore air pollution, in particular the super-pollutant black carbon, and that its effects are impacting us all.”
