Spotlight on a Current Project

Turning

The Shadow puppet show "Turning" was created to provide a tool for

visioning a sustainable future. It assumes that humanity wakes up and

transitions out of the doomed fossil fuel economy  into a sustainable

one.  "Turning" takes place 50 years into the future and tells part of

the story of how humans were able to transition from the vantage

points of two wise women.  The imagery is at times whimsical and

humorous and highlights sustainable practices and technologies that

exist today. The show seeks to give hope to all who struggle with the

direction the industrial growth society has taken in regards to a

rapidly changing climate.

In creating this show Artist, Jay Mead collaborated with climate scientist, Beth Sawin. They are incorporating "Turning" as part of Beth's "Our Climate Ourselves," workshop. They are tailoring this experience for several different kinds of audiences. Using shadow puppetry as a medium, they are creating hands on opportunities for others to express visions and stories about climate change. This type of story telling is a community art form as it requires that people work together at all levels of this creative process.