isaac cordal: waiting for climate change at beaufort04

‘follow the leader’ from ‘waiting for climate change’ by isaac cordal, 2012 carved figurines submerged in sand and water in nieuwpoort, belgiumall images © the artist

isaac cordal: waiting for climate changebeaufort04, beaches of de panne, belgiumon now until september 30th, 2012

spanish-born, brussels-based artist isaac cordal has developed a miniature environmental installation series entitled ‘waiting for climate change’. the collection of small sculptures were created by cordal as a commentary upon stereotypes of individuals from various backgrounds confronting the issue of climate change in their differing ways. the artist’s treatment of each miniature character speaks to a passivity many people feel towards the seemingly futile state of the earth’s health. 

a suit-clad male figure with a child’s inner tube rests in a small pool of water

cordal’s temporary works exist in public spaces; the absence of walls surrounding the exhibit allows for the pieces to be accessed by passers-by in addition to the viewers who would normally seek out the artist’s work. the assemblage of carved figurines, all measuring no larger than 25 cm, have been placed throughout thirty locations across nine coastal municipalities of the flemish coast. in addition to the miniature subjects displayed on the beaches of de panne, belgium, and other sea-side locations, the artist has also developed several pieces to be shown at villa de chalutier, located in de panne as well. cordal’s ‘waiting for climate change’ has been developed for the fourth triennial of contemporary art by the sea in 2012, beaufort04.

thirty miniature figurines wade into a small pool of water near the sea

alternate view of the wading figures

three identical characters clutch objects close to their chests while wearing inner tubes, standing in an area of dried sand in northern belgium

‘the corporation’ is comprised of several suited male figures sinking into the sand in nieuwpoort, belgium

‘some of them climbed to the top of a pole from where they look the horizon’ -isaac cordal images courtesy beaufort04

the four miniature figurines lay face-down on the ground, seeming to have been exposed to materials from the factory in the background

a figurine cleaning what appears to be a mess of tar in a hazmat suit