Temple of Global Warming

Photo: Andrejs Strokins

Tuesday, June 22, In the center of Riga, Esplanade park, the urban object "Temple of Global Warming" was unveiled. The artist invites everyone to become aware of the significance of their individual steps and choices made in maintaining the overall balance of the world.

The project, organized by the Foundation "Mākslai Vajag Telpu", is dedicated to the problems of climate change. The Temple of Global Warming, according to its creators, is an art installation that offers a temple-like atmosphere, illustrating in physical sensations a sense of insecurity about rapid climate change, while also speaking of man's general detachment from his roots and the earth."

"Global warming - the name already has a bit of an old age flavour. Today, polite people call it climate change. To me, this is a reference to the change in attitudes and understanding of what is happening to us and how we see our place in the whole ecosystem, ”said Aigars Bikše.

The idea manifested in the environmental object may be captured not only from the name, but also from a purely physical experience. Whilst inhabiting it, each step made by a person creates a swinging motion that serves as a reference point to the significance of our actions with regards to the climate change.

"A person driven by modern technology will have the opportunity to sit in the installation for a moment and, contrary to the daily fast paced rhythm and abundance of information, to meditate on what rapid climate change means to him as an individual," said the creators of the installation. "The swing construction built into the temple is seen as a metaphor for finding a balance between the various interests of humanity, encouraging us to think about how we feel when rocked too much."

The project is supported by AJ Power group and Līvas group.

Photo: Andrejs Strokins