On the 30th of January 2014 , Selfridges held an event
for Festival of Imagination, which showcased Vivienne Westwood’s new video,
directed by Lorna Love starring Lily Cole, in collaboration with the Environmental Justic Foundation ~ The NO PLACE
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| Selfridges window display |
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| A T-shirt that Lily Cole designed for EJF sits alongside the panel for the evening |
The
film, Red Shoes, is a short 5 minute film. It takes inspiration from the Hans Christian
Anderson tale of the same title.
The
Red Shoes is a metaphor for ‘climate refugees’. Climate refugees is a term
being used to describe victims of natural disasters that haven’t got a home to
go to, and is prophesying a
future when there’s nowhere left to go.
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| Lily Cole in RED SHOES; a metaphor for the plight of those who are forced to leave their homes because of climate change ~ EJF |
The
main discussion topic of the evening revolves around imagination and creativity as important tools to raise awareness of climate change.
“In
2012, 31 million people had their homes taken away from them due to
environmental disasters of some kind.” ~ EJF
Lorna
Love Speaks from a personal perspective, and about her passion to document
human rights films – as an artist.
Lily
speaks about not necessarily using art as a vehicle to express these global
concerns, but as a passionate individual that’s what her work, and
Vivienne’s, has become.
Vivienne agrees, “because I have credibility as a fashion designer, I take the
opportunity to talk about these issues. People will ask me what’s the latest
collection about, and I’ll be like never mind that! I’ve got something really
important to tell you….” She talks about using her position (in a benevolent
way)…
She
talks about “hijacking” her fashion shows – with campaigns like Climate
Revolution. In a true activist style… as Lily says there’s honesty in their
expression, so rather than using art to communicate, they are artists
communicating what they believe in.
“True
culture is something that is foreign to most people.” Vivienne Westwood
Vivienne
speaks about understanding the past to communicate with clarity, the present
day affairs – she speaks of trusting no governments! And to always ask
questions.
