Climate Clock

“The Climate Clock is ticking, the snow is melting, and we are learning anew what our forebears knew – that time is not ours to command; that nature keeps its own time”. Alice Sharp, Climate Clock curator.

In Climate Clock art intertwines with science and nature to inspire environmental awareness and reconnect us with nature’s time. Oulu is a sub-Arctic region affected by Arctic warming, which is occurring four times faster than the rest of the world. The artworks invite us to consider how our seasons and sense of time are changing in an ever-faster digital world and strengthen our connection to nature.

Climate Clock is an art trail across Oulu and a major programme created by Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture, curated by Alice Sharp, Artistic Director of Invisible Dust and programmed by international producer Claudia Woolgar with technical advisor Sam Collins. Alice Sharp brought each artist together with a scientist to bring new thinking about climate change and local nature. Issues such as forests, rivers and seashores. How a Stone Age Centre sits alongside urban centres. All aimed to inspire environmental awareness Alongside these permanent artworks is ‘The Most Valuable Clock in the World,’ an artwork co-created for the project with local communities.

This project would not have been possible without the extraordinary, dedicated work of Ulla Viskari-Perttu and Kaisa Kerätär. The whole Climate Clock team are indebted to them.

In addition the project was realised thanks to amazing support from Oulu Urban and Environmental Service, Oulu City, Oulu Art Museum, Welado, infravipuset, Oulu Business Centre and the team at Oulu2026.

Illustrations: Pekka Rahkonen.