Fashion Summit at COP15

While in Copenhagen for COP15, I went to the Fashion Summit hosted by NICE. I learned here that this industry has huge capabilities to make a difference and they are no where near where they need to be. They rely on vast amounts of water, human labor and raw material...and I would say a huge part of the industry is in a messy state. There are some initiatives happening here and there; but I foresee the industry being a big player in moving towards sustainability once they diffuse the small initiatives to the whole industry. Anyway :)

It was hosted in the Opera House, which was gorgeous!

These two girls are my good friends Steph and Jen! Yes, the same names as my sisters, crazzzzy.

I think one of these light fixtures equals my college debt.

I got to see the Crowned Princess Mary of Denmark, a beautiful opera performance and a fashion show!

Rotterdam Global Urban Summit

Before Cop15, I had made a last minute decision to go to Rotterdamn's Global Urban Summit. It was a two day conference for urban planning enthusiasts from over the world; the purpose of the conference was to co-create 'New Green Deals'. The idea of New Green Deals is a timely evolution from Roosevelts 'New Deal'; hoping to push the green agenda in cities forward, create new jobs, and plan more efficient urban environments. About half of the world's population lives in urban areas, meaning there is a huge potential for cities to be thriving sustainable hubs of human existence.

To close the conference, Jeremy Rifkin who is the President of the Foundation on Economic Trends (sounds snoozy but he is amazing) gave a spectacular speech on the communication energy revolution (also sounds iffy but its intriguing). Please pop some popcorn and watch the speech on youtube. You won't be sorry; you will laugh, you will cry, and you will get goosebumps at least 5 times.

One super rad green deal was made: VEIL, an Eco Innovation Lab based in Australia would cooperate with Rotterdam to create a new VEIL (they would most likely call it REIL for Rotterdam). In the photo below you can see I agreed to help co-create more New Green Deals. My siggy is on the lower right above 'world'!

I think I heard correctly that Rotterdam commissions graffiti art throughout the city. I could be wrong on the details, but here is a lovely piece I saw.

Rotterdam also has initiatives in place for utilizing unused storefronts for public art. This concept is flying through cities worldwide. If any city officials need help with this, INDO wants to join the ride.

One night of the conference, we enjoyed a boat tour of the very organized Rotterdam ports. These two lovely ladies sang the menu to us for each course. The whole trip was amazing, we ate well, slept well, I didn't lose my wallet, and to think I almost didn't go! However, they did serve veal which was odd for a conference focused on sustainability.

We stayed the night in Amsterdam and it was beautiful!

I got to see the red-light district.

One thing I loved was this shop that sold just cheese.

These amazing vending machines in Amsterdam are each little microwaves; you pop in money, and out pops a corn dog or pizza pocket.

I did my BFA thesis on public bicycle programs; so I was ecstatic to see the yellow bikes in action around Amsterdam! So far Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Karlskrona and Copenhagen and 50% more bicycle friendly than my hometown Chicago. We have got some work to do!

I recommend seeing these cities. I wish Josh could have been with me for this little trip. Rotterdam is super cool, filled with innovation and a big arts scene. Amsterdam is just breathtaking.

350 day: HUMAN GRAPH: Karlskrona

Jattebra.

check it out here too.

350 day.

Today we made a human graph to be a part of 350 day, a huge movement across the globe showing that WE care about safe limits of carbon in our atmosphere. Check out the before and after action!

Wanås Foundation: Ecology and Art conference

School, construction 1

Part of the school is under construction...We'll see shortly how it will turn out!

nerd alert! (pt.2)

your leaders of tomorrow...today!

(posted via josh under crystal's username)

WANÅS, a farm and art park

Wanås is about 2.5 hours north of Karlskrona Sweden.  Its a gorgeous area that used to belong to Denmark, and now is back in the hands of the Swedes.  The curator that gave us a tour has been there since the 80's and has worked with amazing world-renowned artists, so it was so inspiring to hear her talk of the history the park and her experience.

This radiator is an art piece.  It heats up with the energy from milking the cows (the heat from the milk).  It is about global warming and the methane that comes from raising cows.  (Eat less meat y'all)

This is Maya Lin's sculpture from 2004...you can see the raise in the ground?  Its a large spiral spanning this grazing field for the cows.  Its best seen in arial view:)

This exhibit took up 4 floors of a barn!  Each floor was different, this was my favorite.  Ann Hamilton wrapped each column of the strucuture hundreds and hundreds of times with string. 

Arial art!

A swedish artists view of global warming.

She is peeing.

For real.

At the end of the day, everyone takes time to swing around...can you see my classmate Spud at the tip top?  

Car Cemetery

For anyone that has read The World Without Us by Alan Weisman, this car cemetery may take on an entirely new meaning; rather than just a dumping ground for broken down gas guzzlers. A man began this car cemetery, and now a photographer has helped secure funding so it can stay here for whomever is interested.  

Its fascinating how nature is reclaiming its own.