Art Meets Climate Change: A Conversation with Xavier Cortada

Daily Detroit

In our latest episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Xavier Cortada, an artist whose work transcends traditional forms of expression to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time—climate change and social justice.

As part of the Arthur L. Johnson Urban Perspectives lecture series, Xavier will be speaking at Wayne State University on September 18, 2024. Xavier's journey is a testament to the power of art as a vehicle for change. He recalls his early influences, particularly his father, a Cuban refugee and artist who used his craft to build community and address social issues. This foundational experience shaped Xavier's belief that art must do more than just exist; it must provoke thought, evoke emotion, and inspire action. One of the most compelling aspects of our conversation was Xavier's ability to make the global personal. He emphasized that the climate crisis we face is not an abstract or distant problem but one that affects us all in tangible ways.

"What they are seeing isn't a natural phenomenon. What they're seeing is a human caused catastrophe. And if humans caused it, then humans can uncause it," said Cortada.

This belief is at the core of his work, which aims to engage people who might feel disconnected from the issue of climate change. Xavier's art serves as a bridge, inviting people into a conversation rather than preaching or admonishing. He uses his creative approaches to make complex issues more relatable and understandable.

The event at Wayne State is free, RSVP here: https://events.wayne.edu/2024/09/18/arthur-l-johnson-urban-perspectives-lecture-series-98410/