BATTERY PARK CITY — These massive, colorful globes don’t turn — but they are meant to move you.
Traveling eco-conscious art installation “Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cool Plant” has landed in Battery Park City, the project’s first time in New York. The exhibition uses a collection of huge, intricately designed orbs that revolve around one idea: you can do simple things every day to help impede climate change.
The project hopes to increase awareness about the detrimental effects of climate change, while also inspiring people to take action to combat it, said Chicago environmentalist Wendy Abrams, who founded the exhibition in 2007.
The 12 globes, each 5-feet in diameter, were created to be eye-catching, so passersby are compelled to stop and check them out, Abrams said.
But the point isn’t just to remind people that climate change is happening. Each orb’s artsy details have a theme, along with a plaque that describes an environmental problem and offers ways people can make a difference in their daily habits.
"We wanted a way to create something fun and captivating, while also getting a message across," said Abrams. "I didn't want to use this platform to just say that climate change is happening, I wanted the project to offer solutions."
The “Warm Up NYC, Wear A Sweater” globe from artist Lindsay Obermeyer, for example, is about adjusting thermostat temps — and is covered in a knitted sweater. The globe encourages New Yorkers to throw on a sweater instead of turning up the heat all the time. Regulating temperature, especially when you’re asleep or away conserves energy and curbs greenhouse gas and regulate temperature, the globe’s plaque reads.
The globes have traveled the world, with stops in cities including Chicago, Geneva, Los Angeles and Jerusalem. The project was brought to Battery Park City with support from Governor Andrew Cuomo's office.
“As we continue to face some of the most severe weather events in our history, we must reduce, mitigate and adapt to the effects of this new normal," Gov. Cuomo said in statement. "I encourage New Yorkers to visit this exhibition and learn more about what you can do to help combat climate change.”
The outdoor exhibit will be on display through Nov. 20, at 22 Battery Place.
