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In conjunction with the seasonal King Tides, The City of Delray Beach and the Office of Sustainability organized a climate education outreach event to raise awareness about the impacts of climate changes and the need to proactively adapt. The weekend invited organizations from around the city to be involved and programs included artist talks, art exhibitions, in-person panels and environmental activities.  As a coastal city within a larger coastal area, Delray Beach hopes to share the realities of the climate crisis, rising tides, and ultimately how it can directly affect us and the local neighborhoods in the future.

Two works, “Tide Markers” and “Obstructed Flow” by Kx2 (artist duo Dana Kleinman and Ruth Avra) were included in the exhibit “Waves” at the Arts Warehouse in Delray Beach, FL.  "Tide Markers" involves repurposed industrial stainless steel, mirror polished, with concrete and enamel. This piece references the tracking of sea level rise by measuring the changes in high and low tides through time. These pieces also describe how sea life reclaims industrial infrastructure in waterfront locations.  “Obstructed Flow” is a series of sculptures meant to evoke these clogged drainage systems and is created using repurposed industrial pipes which are stuffed with recycled, painted and hand-dyed canvas strips. Notably, the cascading canvas in this series are purposely created with an aesthetic value in mind and their tactile quality invites physical engagement. One wants to reach out and feel their weightiness but here in lies the greater dialogue on our participation in what these are and what these materials really represent. There is a responsibility that needs to be accounted for and much like the veins of the body, these wall spouts are vital systems which when blocked, can be deadly to the overall system. 

“Art is a great way to bring awareness to the scientific troubles we are facing as a society. Especially in a coastal city such that Delray Beach is, we are experiencing firsthand the impact of environmental changes such as the King Tides that happen annually. We can’t ignore our proximity to the ocean as sea levels rise,” said Grace Gdaniec, Arts Warehouse manager. ”It is my hope that seeing a piece of art in this exhibition, and others like it, will inspire viewers to take action in the climate change conversation, and perhaps will learn something new and view something differently based on the art they see. It’s just another great way to educate.”

The exhibition opens September 2nd at 6pm, part of Delray Beach’s First Friday Art Walk and runs through October 29, 2022.