Alameda + Art = Activism

“Rising Seas” is the first of a yearlong series of local arts performances called “Rising Tides”

“Island Time” is a popular sign displayed in homes by those of us lucky enough to live in a place surrounded by water. But is our island time running out? Duane Silverstein, director of Albany-based Seacology , an international nonprofit with the sole focus of protecting island ecosystems, frequently visits remote islands throughout the globe.  And what has he seen? “ Rising tides are already having a devastating impact on islands throughout the world,” Silverstein  says.

Performing and visual artists representing many of these worldwide island cultures will join Rhythmix Cultural Works on August 24 for the launch of the Rising Seas project, the first in a  yearlong series of performances of live music, immersive dance, site-responsive theater and visual art called “Rising Tides” that will engage audiences by raising climate awareness and un-earthing solutions for sustainability and resiliency.

“ Climate change has been a concern of mine forever,” says Janet Koike, the lead artist and director of the Rising Seas project, as well as being the founder of Rhythmix Cultural Works and the person responsible for renovating and activating its current physical home in Alameda. Both she and the organization’s former executive director Tina Blaine (aka Bean) will be performing with the Maze Daiko world music ensemble at the upcoming event.

Since Rhythmix opened its doors in 2007, the community-based arts facility has engaged more than 100,000 people of all ages in arts experiences of varying types.

Koike has seen many changes take place over the ensuing years. “ The City has embraced the arts, and is so proactive in trying to enact change to prevent our island from disappearing,” she says, adding, “The City trusts us and supports what we do.”

The free “climate art” event, presented in partnership with the City of Alameda, will “illustrate the joys and concerns associated with living on an island.” This kickoff event will feature three performances. Maze Daiko will highlight Japanese taiko and traditional dance. SF Mime Troupe veteran Ed Holmes is the Climate Detective from the Future, sharing stories of Alameda’s waterfront past, present, and future in a piece directed by Alamedan Jeff Raz , formerly of Cirque du Soleil. The play will segue into an interactive dance choreographed by Izzy Award-winner KT Nelson, which moves to a soundscape weaving together the voices of Alameda residents and sustainability leaders.

The community will also be invited to view the work of ten local artists in the Rising Seas Exhibit and contribute to a rope of personal pledges to help slow down climate change. Families will be treated to a number of fun activities hosted by local nonprofits and government agency partners committed to sustainability and the mitigation of climate change.

There is a rich and long history of art being used to motivate folks to take action. But given the ominous projections of climate change and its effect on islands, how easy will it be for the artists to convey a message of positivity?

“We want people to feel inspired, energized, and interested in climate change,” says Koike, “and to learn about different actions they can take so they can walk away with a lighter heart regarding the dire situation. We want people to have hope.”

Jeff Raz has thoughts on this subject as well. “You can’t face climate annihilation with the tools of a somber, lone scientist in a room,” he says. “What works is that we get together to think of ways to be part of the solution, and to be in community with each other—to feel joy.” About his partners in the comedic theater piece that is part of the event, he says, “We’re all in that tradition of using humor to deal with big subjects.”

And the taking action part? Koike references the myth of the hundredth monkey, in which one monkey learns to wash food in the river. After the hundredth monkey adapts this new behavior, the story goes, it can be picked up by all within a short period.  Koike wants us to be the hundredth monkey by making the sort of small changes that she has—not using plastic bags at the produce shop, not consuming foods in plastic, and opting to walk or ride bikes whenever possible.

One audio clip that will be part of the dance performance soundtrack featuring local voices will be the words of a father interviewed at Crab Cove. He says that he and his family try to go to the water every day to put their hands in, “so they can feel a connection to the world.” The name of the dance piece is “ Where do we draw the line? ”

And what line is that?

Says Koike, “You draw the line that connects us all, and unites us to do something.”

What : Rising Seas Event Launch
When : Saturday, August 24th | 2:00 – 5:00pm
Where : Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave, Alameda, CA 94501
Tickets : FREE, RSVP Recommended
Info : Rising Seas

C.J. Hirschfield served for 17 years as Executive Director of Children’s Fairyland, where she was charged with the overall operation of the nation’s first storybook theme park. Prior to that, she was an executive in the cable television industry. She now contributes regularly to KQED’s Perspectives series, The Oaklandside, and eatdrinkfilms.com . She holds a degree in Film and Broadcasting from Stanford University. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/C_J_Hirschfield/ .

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