We Place Life at the Center / Situamos la vida en el centro
We Place Life at the Center / Situamos la vida en el centro is an exhibition, publication, and educational platform that directs dialogue and points of exchange among art, science, and environmental justice in the Americas. The project stems from the work of Los Angeles-based Colombian artist Carolina Caycedo, whose art and research engage with the interrelated issues of water and land stewardship, food sovereignty, and fair and just energy transition.
Building upon four years of research and fieldwork in frontline communities across the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, the project promotes alternative solutions to the global climate crisis rooted in ecofeminist and environmental justice perspectives, and fosters networks of learning, solidarity, and action among diverse organizations and social movements throughout the Western Hemisphere.
The exhibition assembles new works by Caycedo produced since 2018, several on view for the first time, alongside artworks from artists and environmental movements within Caycedo’s network. More than the presentation of a single artist’s work, the exhibition provides a dynamic space for knowledge sharing across communities and geographies, inviting members of the public to reflect on the interconnectivity of the natural world and our shared responsibility in its stewardship. In doing so, we recognize the power of individual and collective efforts to confront the global extractive energy system and its negative effects on our planet.
Complementing the exhibition is a suite of educational programs and events, including an international convening of artists, scientists, and grassroots environmental leaders, and a specialized course on art and environmental studies at East Los Angeles College. The project culminates with a fully-illustrated English-Spanish publication co-published with X Artists’ Books.