ORACLE

While I was in Chicago earlier this month, I connected with one of our Midwest Nice friends, Nick Bontrager. Nick has been in a couple of our exhibitions; we were able to enjoy his work in nice;01 last summer.

Nick and fellow artist Matt Kenyon have been collaborating on a new work, ORACLE. This is a fantastic interdisciplinary narrative of the climate crisis, where the historic Greek oracle is represented by a burning tire, answering viewers’ questions.

The burning tire functions as a climate change oracle that viewers can approach and ask their questions about environmental crises and the changes in the world around them. Taking a lesson from the river, and from the history of oracles as sites where uncertainty can be exchanged for action and direction, our piece offers a mysterious spectacle whose humor and strangeness are designed to upend cynicism and create space for voices from the climate justice movement.

ORACLE is supported by a grant from Fine Acts with support from Countdown, TED’s global initiative for solutions to the climate crisis. Special thanks to the team of mentors who bring a diverse set of experiences and backgrounds to this project.

Great work, Nick!