Climate calendar

Climate issues have arrived on the streets, in politics and in the media. The main forms of expression for demonstrations are loudly chanted slogans and painted or printed banners. They are short and extremely concise, often creative contenders for a place in the memory. By contrast, arguments, facts and forecasts dominate the political debate and media reports. Art does more and does it differently, making room for feelings such as fear, concern or pity. It has room for fantasies and utopias. These dimensions were the focus of the non-profit organisation "Klimaschutz Göttingen" with its project "Climate - Youth - Future", which began in 2015. All school types and grades in the city and the rural region were asked to learn, think and draw about this topic. More than 200 works were created, which are documented in a slightly anonymised form at www.klimaschutz-goettingen.de So they were created before the "Fridays for Future" appeared! Numerous smaller and larger exhibitions have been organised on the basis of this collection and deliberately shown in places with little affinity to art: Town Hall, district administration, school centre, local court, adult education centre, café. This calendar contains a selection of these pictures. Month after month, a new facet of the commitment of today's youth becomes visible. Their thoughts and demands are often deeper and more far-reaching than those of today's climate politicians. As an "everlasting calendar", it will keep the feelings and thoughts of young people alive for a long time to come. And it offers plenty of material for discussion: the communicative triangle of visual language, artist and viewer commentary is an invitation to dialogue. On the back of each monthly sheet are selected comments from pupils and other viewers on the various topics.