indestructible language
IT IS GREEN THINKS NATURE EVEN IN THE DARK
November 1, 2021–January 31, 2022
indestructible language is a monumental neon artwork by New York-based conceptual artist and activist Mary Ellen Carroll/MEC studios situated on the roof of The Schoolhouse, a historic Victorian building in the centre of Glasgow, visible from COP 26 and the M8, the busiest motorway in Scotland, where it will be seen by millions both locally and virtually. It consists of three-meter-high illuminated red neon characters made of lead-free glass, powered 100% by renewable energy, spelling out the phrase: IT IS GREEN THINKS NATURE EVEN IN THE DARK.
The installation—which also acts as a beacon—uses language to highlight the multiple meanings and areas of concern around the climate emergency, challenging viewers to respond to the work, to reflect on its many readings and their own actions around climate change. “IT IS” immediately states a condition, that the climate emergency is one of extreme relevance and a scientific fact; “GREEN,” a complimentary colour to the red neon letters, can represent plant growth, environmental campaigning, and the green economy. “THINKS” reinforces the human capacity to engage in cognitive acts to make informed decisions based in science, while “NATURE” signifies itself, earth, atmosphere, ecosystems and the outside. “EVEN” reminds us that the issue is nonpartisan and envisions a rebalancing to carbon neutrality. “IN THE DARK” is a formal declaration: the artwork is only visible in the dark and this reflexive statement questions the viewer!s decision to choose to engage with or ignore the issue.
indestructible language is supported by The Kind World Foundation, Love, Tito’s, MCM, Stardust, Sub Club, TransArt Foundation, Turtle Conservancy, Urban Office, and private donors including M. Asselin / J. Meltzer and Melanie Shorin / Greg Feldman, and others who are committed to climate action.
The illumination of the artwork coincides with the announcement of RSVP— a global art and policy programme initiated to address climate migration and mental health through the built environment in a partnership between Dr. Alan Shapiro-Terra Firma, Mary Ellen Carroll/MEC, studios, Jessica Marshall PhD, and Suchi Reddy-Reddymade. indestructible language and associated climate actions are fiscally sponsored by the Storefront for Art and Architecture.
Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, comments: “Arts and culture have a centre stage role in our discussions on climate change, helping make it meaningful to people. While global leaders are meeting at the SEC, Mary Ellen Carroll’s work and its landmark location can trigger conversations about the climate crisis amongst our citizens and those tuning in from across the planet. I’m looking forward to seeing how Glaswegians and visiting delegates alike respond to this prominent and provocative work.”
“Collectively we need to ethically imagine how the actions to combat the climate emergency that we commit to in COP 26 and for the future can be accomplished,” said Mary Ellen Carroll/MEC studios. “Illuminating indestructible language in Glasgow during COP 26 aims to amplify this moment and highlights the urgent need to commit, think and work together as stewards of nature to take responsibility for the future of our world.”
“indestructible language is a testament of Glasgow’s commitment to sustainability, and our city’s rich heritage and its value of culture,” said Councillor Philip Braat, The Lord Provost of Glasgow. “I am thrilled that this important artwork is in our city, and as a beacon it will inspire and amplify the necessity for ambitious actions by everyone in the race to become carbon neutral.”
“As a public work of art indestructible language is a siren to commit to thinking acts. Stardust supports art as a activator for sustainable change and social justice, and it is important to see work this in Glasgow,” said Molly Gochman, the founder of Stardust. “Mary Ellen Carroll’s work of art is a foundation for the public’s commitment to act in the climate emergency.”
Mary Ellen Carroll / MEC, studios’s work stands at the intersection of conceptual art, social activism, urban legislation, and economic processes, and is frequently durational (prototype 180, Federal, PUBLIC UTILITY 2.0), occupying public policy, architecture, technology and areas of civic life. Carroll!s work affects and impacts systems in its use of policy and infrastructure as a material to make policy blind spots visible. Carroll is the recipient of numerous grants and honors, including the 2022 Prix de Rome, a Graham Foundation Fellowship for prototype 180, IASPIS, a Guggenheim Fellowship, Pollock/Krasner Awards, a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship, and a Rauschenberg Fellowship. Teaching, lecturing and public presentations in architecture and policy are an important part of Carroll’s work at institutions such as Rice University, Columbia University, Yale University, and the DIA Art Foundation amongst others. Carroll’s work has been exhibited at numerous U.S. and international institutions and galleries, including the Whitney Museum, New York, Generali Foundation, Vienna, Johann Jacobs Museum, Zurich, Busan Museum, South Korea, the Renaissance Society, Chicago, ICA, London, Museum für Völkerkunde-Munich, and MOMUK, Vienna. Her work is held in numerous public and private collections.
A limited edition print created by BRANDX editions and a limited edition neon of indestructible language will be available through Galerie Hubert Winter. There will be a donation to Terra Firma for each copy sold. Terra Firma is doing work at the intersection of medical/mental health and legal support for children and families displaced by climate.
Background and history for indestructible language
Originally commissioned by the Precipice Alliance in 2006, indestructible language appeared on the Pulaski Skyway in New Jersey. The current work is a completely new fabrication. For the Glasgow installation, indestructible language, was fabricated by SOLAS Neon in Edinburgh, Scotland. The renowned type designer Chester Jenkins / VLLG Type created the font and lettering specifically for the artwork. The site location for the installation in Glasgow, fronting the M8 motorway, is atop The Schoolhouse, a Victorian building that is owned by the firm Urban Office, who provided additional support for the installation of the artwork. The colour red was selected for the neon because of its high visibility and the fact that it is universally understood as a warning sign, in addition to being the warmest colour in the visible spectrum. indestructible language was originally commissioned in 2006 by The Precipice Alliance an organization founded by the photographer Joel Sternfeld and the publisher Donna Wingate to produce high profile, large scale public works of art on existential crises.
Media contacts (interviews and other media requests):
Sarah Greenberg Evergreen Arts
sgreenberg [at] evergreen-arts.com
/ T +44 (0)7866543242
Kate Burvill KBPR,
kateburvill [at] googlemail.com
/ T +44 (0)7947754717
For images (HD renderings and installation photographs), please contact:
Panagiotis Panagopoulos
ppanagopoulos [at] evergreen-arts.com
