News / Air pollution
Artwork spotlights air pollution impact
A new art installation has been designed to illustrate the damaging impact of air pollution on human health.
Animations will represent Bristol as a living organism, with industrial pipes attached to the city’s heart, lungs and intestines to symbolise the ‘brutal impact of industrialisation’ on human health.
‘Suffocating City’ intends to encourage people to adopt a greener approach to city living.
is needed now More than ever
Artist Leo Jamelli in front of his Spotlight on Care projection in 2022 – photo: Steve Haywood
The hand-drawn animations, created by South West artist Leo Jamelli, will be projected onto the outside of the Arnolfini gallery over October 18-19.
The imagery was inspired by the concerns of community groups in Bristol, as well as research by the Met Office and Clean Air Champions.
King’s College London found that long-term exposure to poor air quality cause up to 36,000 premature deaths in the UK every year.
The latest data suggests that 8.5 per cent of deaths per year in Bristol are attributable to air pollution, though this figure rises in areas with higher traffic density.
Low air quality has health impacts including low birthweight in babies and impaired childhood lung development, and can be a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease.
The cost of air pollution-related health impacts in Bristol is estimated to be £83 million.
Viewers will be invited to participate in the installation by using pedal power to keep the animated organism alive.
Leo Jamelli said: “I wanted to show inhabitants of large urban areas, who may seem disconnected from the natural world, that climate issues will also have a serious impact on those living in our cities.
“As the animated organs begin to fail due to air pollutants, the heart goes into cardiac arrest. An old-fashioned exercise bike acts as a defibrillator, and spectators can take action by pedalling to charge it up – helping bring the city back to life.
“The suggestion is that alternative forms of greener energy can help save our cities.”
Solutions such as better public transport, clean air zones, efficient driving practices including reducing idling, sustainable energy sources, and more green spaces and trees in urban areas would benefit both health and the natural environment.
The installation is part of Bristol Ideas’ Festival of the Future City, a programme of events that brings together ‘great writers, commentators and thinkers’ to publicly debate the future of cities.
Naomi Miller of Bristol Ideas said: “The air in most of our towns and cities is up to five times more polluted than the World Health Organisation air quality guidelines recommend.
“Suffocating City brings the heart and lungs of our cities to life and reminds us how much is at stake.”
Find out more at www.bristolideas.co.uk/attend/suffocating-city/
This piece of independent journalism is supported by The Extra Mile and the Bristol24/7 public and business membership.
Main photo: Suffocating City
Read next:
- Is Bristol’s Clean Air Zone far reaching enough to tackle air pollution?
- Bristol artists featured on compliation for Palestinian charities
- Free pint of any Bristol Beer Factory draught beer from Arnolfini Bar: Perk of the day, October 12
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
