Jenny Holzer's powerful series of light projections, HURT EARTH, launched at Tate Modern, London in October 2021. Headlining Tate's Power to Change programme, the artwork saw the building's iconic chimney bathed in a collection of aching, inspiring and expert testimony from more than 40 activists, leaders and many others addressing the climate crisis.
"Throughout history, art has been a catalyst for change, helping to imagine the world as it could be. As we grapple with the climate emergency, Tate Modern has a critical responsibility to amplify the voices of artists, to visualise a positive climate future and drive social change." - Frances Morris, Director of Tate Modern
After launching at Tate Modern, the artwork went on to Scotland to light Edinburgh Castle as well as the SEC Armadillo, located in the official Blue Zone of COP26 in Glasgow, followed by MET Tower in Glasgow and finally a series of pop-up locations in Edinburgh including Jupiter Artland to draw attention to the climate crisis and mark COP26, the 26th annual United Nations summit on climate change.
HURT EARTH is co-curated and produced by Artwise and Shore Art Advisory and presented in collaboration with Art For Your World, a movement by WWF to engage the art world in the fight against climate change.
HURT EARTH, 2021. Light projection. Tate Modern, London Text: Protest sign. © 2021 Jenny Holzer, ARS Video: Adam Kenrick