Eco-Art Shanghai 2009: An Interview With Carl Siegel

Touch Media Events is holding an eco-art event over National Holiday. They have teamed up with Oriental land to transform a HUGE green space outside of Shanghai into an eco-art exhibit. The event is an open competition with more than RMB29,000 in prizes for the winners. Submissions have already begun for the art exhibit – make sure to get yours in soon! eno will be submitting at least ten – we can’t wait!

We met up with Carl Siegel, one of the organizers of the event and asked him a few questions.

What is eco-Art Shanghai?
Eco-Art Shanghai is an extravaganza—a contest, a wake-up call, and a celebration. It’s a challenge to rethink the way we perceive and define the world around us. Eco-Art wants to demonstrate how change in the community is a collective of small, individual decisions, how our perceptions are fundamental in how we address environmental challenges, and that being socially responsible is not something to be feared, but embraced and even celebrated.

Why is Touch Media organizing this event and what are your goals?
Touchmedia is organizing this event because we are in a unique and fortunate position to activate our media platform and network to benefit the greater community. Our goals are to plant seeds of social responsibility in the individuals that we reach; seeds that grow into self-awareness and the realization of a safe, healthy future for our children.

Why did you choose eco-art as the medium for raising environmental awareness?
We chose eco-art because it seemed the most universal medium. We want the entire community to feel empowered to participate and feel engaged in their environment, and art, like language, is the most basic human tool we have to express our present, and envision our future.

What is the key to increasing environmental awareness in China?
First, knowledge. We need a shared, rational understanding in China to define and articulate the problems we face before we can act. Next is empowerment. The average Chinese consumer must feel that it is not only their option, but their duty to speak out on environmental issues affecting their community. Finally is accountability. Everyone—individuals, businesses and government—must be held accountable to a set of environmental laws and policies that are respected and enforced.

These three steps may seem overwhelming, so the goal of Eco-Art Shanghai is to demonstrate that we can! A greener tomorrow begins with the small steps we make today.

Read more about Eco-Art Shanghai 2009 by clicking here.