Breath(e): Toward Climate and Social Justice

Contemporary artists address connections between climate activism and social justice in their work

The lungs of our planet are under threat, invaded by carbon emissions, plastics and man-made pollutants. As part of the Getty Center's PST ART initiative, Breath(e) considers the connections between climate change, environmental justice and social justice through the lens of contemporary art. This book features approximately 45 works focused on climate change by a group of intergenerational contemporary artists, scientists and activists, addressing deforestation, ocean acidification, coral reef bleaching, water pollution, extraction and atmospheric politics. It features six major new commissions, including a living bee sculpture by Garnett Puett and a garden created by Ron Finley, that extend beyond the art world to make tangible contributions to the protection of our climate. Artists include: Mel Chin, Ryoji Ikeda, Mika Tajima, Cannupa Hasker Luger, Yoshitomo Nara, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Otobong Nkanga, Clarissa Tossin, Zheng Mahler.