Biophilia: Reconnecting people to the planet through art
From immersive exhibitions to dance and music, ‘Biophilia’ reimagined climate awareness as a shared cultural journey, showing that protecting the planet begins with people and stories
A mother and her daughter meandered through a gallery of photographs. The mother pointed out a photo of girls playing football, then another of a community celebrating. Though a brief moment, it was a beautiful reflection of the event's purpose: to involve people in the climate effort and raise awareness in the next generation.
The event, 'Biophilia: Reconnecting People, Climate, and Culture', took place on 2 September at Aloki. The all-day event featured informative panels and cultural performances, including dance, theatre, and music. The program included sessions with leaders of change as well as citizens most affected by climate change.
'Biophilia' was organised in collaboration with GenLab, a youth-led organisation, and was funded by the Embassy of Switzerland as part of its Climate Action at Local Level (CALL) program.
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The event started off with words from the chief guest, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Interim Government's Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
"Knowledge-based initiatives and global unity and solidarity are essential to address the climate crisis. We have limited time and resources, so we need to take collective action. This crisis is not just a question of survival, but also the security of future generations and the very existence of many nations," she commented.
The words rang true for the concept of the event.
Moving beyond traditional panel discussions, the event incorporated a photography exhibition and cultural performances. Attendees could also collaborate on a community art piece at the 'CALL Canvas' station or experience the 'Climate Lens VR', which offered an immersive look into climate change through virtual reality.
The event's cultural elements created a fun, immersive environment that drew in people of all ages, including many children and teenagers.
"People usually associate climate change with academics. We wanted to make the concept accessible for all and to raise awareness about it among the young generation," shared Ratul Dev, Executive Director of GenLab.
In the venue's greenhouse, photographs dangled from above instead of being displayed on walls–fully immersing you in the experience. The photography exhibition, 'In Light' featured photos from S M Al Muztaba Rosul, Ahmed Samiur Rauf, Shantana Chakroborty, and Habibul Haque.
The beautiful part about the photos is that they did not linger on disaster; rather, they highlighted the lives of the people who depend most on the environment. Many photos depicted people's bonds with animals, and moments of people playing and celebrating. In the mix, they included photos of how rain can impact labourers and the conditions of drinking water–keeping you rooted to the cause.
Interestingly, 'Biophilia' also integrated fashion into its message with 'Threads of the Earth'. This segment highlighted the sustainability aspect in fashion and design, showcasing natural fabrics and recycled designs.
The highlight was saved for last–the cultural segment called 'Echoes of the Delta'. The Theatrical Company, in collaboration with Kaya Ashram, presented a theatrical performance, which was followed by a concert by Joler Gaan.
The performance combined drama and dance to convey powerful messages about the environment. Soon afterwards, the artists presented a comedy-drama showing how the environment is intertwined with our lives. The story follows the lives of a couple as they migrate from a rural area to Dhaka, in hopes of a better life. However, the wife soon falls ill from the poor air quality–a trademark feature of Dhaka.
The night finished on a high note as Joler Gaan took the stage, performing fan-favourites such as 'Dure Thaka Megh'.
Combining culture with a powerful cause, 'Biophilia' put a new face on climate initiatives, making it an accessible experience enjoyed by all.
