Photo: Courtesy of the artist
Ubuntu Climate Change Heroes
Ubuntu Climate Change Heroes is an audiovisual site specific installation using poetry, music and film introducing the idea of local climate change heroes.
Created by artist and TED Fellow Lee Mokobe, the installation focuses on recyclers going through dumping sites, as well as on indigenous healers who have educated communities about water preservation and land conservation – both groups contributing to the climate change conversation in a major way.
The work’s goal is to spark solution-based conversations around overconsumption, overproduction, environmental consciousness, and nature conservation.
The work will be launching at the Kasi RC shack theatre in Cape Town, South Africa, bringing the ideas to a completely different demographic. One that has subtlety contributed to aiding climate change solutions without having the language to articulate that. In the celebration of their own heroes, it is able to lessen the seemingly insurmountable task of saving the Earth.
“My main aim is to show that ordinary citizens can become part of the solution to help slow down climate change through reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving nature. Through this work, and these incredible stories, I hope to inspire and make the fight to slow down climate change accessible.”
This work is part of our global art action with Countdown, TED’s global initiative to champion and accelerate solutions to the climate crisis. We worked with a group of TED Fellows on ten public artworks, all launching on 10.10.2020 in ten cities around the world. The goal – to raise awareness for Countdown, while translating key climate issues in ways that spur imaginations and trigger participation. See all projects here.
Photo: Courtesy of the artist
Photo: Courtesy of the artist
Photo: Courtesy of the artist
THE ARTIST
Lee Mokobe is an award-winning slam poet, content creator and creative director. They are the founder of Vocal Revolutionaries, a non-profit organization focused on empowering creative African youth using digital art.
Lee is also an LGBTQ activist specifically referencing their experience as a Black transgender immigrant in South Africa and America.
Their works and art are taught as part of university and college curriculum all across the world. Through queer advocacy, they have been published several times including alongside Barack Obama and Harvey Milk in Loud and Proud (LGBTQ speeches that inspired the world). They are also a trained traditional healer known as a sangoma.
Lee is currently working on a co-founded creative arts platform known as The Other Street, where they present storytelling and advocacy for marginalized groups in Africa.
Mokobe is a TED Fellow and Adobe Creativity Scholar.