An Examination of Artistic Practice, Climate Change Science,
and Civic Engagement at Pulitzer Arts Foundation, July 30-Aug. 3
Pulitzer Arts Foundation, Ballroom Marfa and The Public Concern Foundation are bringing Marfa Dialogues to St. Louis, July 30 – August 3. This programming series, taking place at Pulitzer Arts Foundation and throughout the St. Louis area, will bring together artists and scientists to imagine creative solutions to climate change issues facing the Midwest. Founded in 2010 by Ballroom Marfa, a nonprofit arts organization located in Marfa, Texas, and the Public Concern Foundation (PCF), Marfa Dialgoues aim was to broaden public exploration of the art, politics, and culture of the US-Mexico border. In subsequent iterations, Marfa Dialogues expanded its scope to consider the science and culture of climate change in Texas, and most recently in New York last fall.
Marfa Dialogues / St. Louis (MD / STL) continues to examine climate change science and artistic practice through public programs, workshops, installations, interactive lectures, and projects from over twenty-five local and national partners. Highlights of the five-day series include: City as a Living Laboratory guided walk through downtown St. Louis with artist Mary Miss and local artists and activists encouraging environmental awareness among participants; a project by the Natural Resources Defense Council and resident artist Jenny Kendler to distribute biodegradable balloons filled with milkweed seeds in order to promote the habitats of Monarch butterflies; and several projects by local and national organizations including Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, The Buckminster Fuller Institute, Judd Foundation, Saint Louis Science Center, Perennial, and Forest Park Forever, among others. MD / STL aligns with thematic elements of the Pulitzer’s current exhibition, Art of Its Own Making, and includes a talk by exhibiting artist Meg Webster.
MD / STL begins on July 30 with an opening reception at the Pulitzer from 6 – 9 pm. The evening includes two interactive installations, Water Co-Op Bar by Radical Intention and the Luminary, and The Moth Project by Plantbot Genetics, as well as a performative lecture, Monsanto House of the Future, by US English beginning at 8 pm. For a full schedule of programs and more information on MD / STL program partners, visit stl.marfadialogues.org.
Marfa Dialogues is supported by the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation. Pulitzer Arts Foundation is located at 3716 Washington Blvd., St. Louis, MO. Admission is free. For more information please visit online at www.marfadialogues.org.