We are thrilled that we were able to install the WARMING WATERS public art project on July 22, 2020 after a delay of four months due to the pandemic (installation was supposed to be on Earth Day, April 22, 2020). The project was open for viewing until July 26, 2020 morning. The dedication was held on Thursday, July 23, 2020, but was cut short due to a tremendous storm and lightning. Robin Bell projected on the saris for three nights, July 23-25. All visitors were required to wear masks and the projections were also livestreamed each night for safe home viewing. The project was a show of resilience in the face of climate injustice and the pandemic.

WARMING WATERS is a temporary public art project and climate justice art collaboration that combines the communities in Washington DC and Katakhali Village in Bangladesh to print, write, and paint on 22 saris, and drape the saris on the C&O Canal wall in Georgetown, along with projections in the evening. As part of the project, DC residents learn about climate change and renewable energy, and add their own stories to the saris. The projections show the participants making the saris, images of the Bay of Bengal, pages from the Katakhali women’s climate diaries, and Americans making handwritten climate pledges. 

Many thanks to everyone who participated in WARMING WATERS, to all the project supporters and helpers, and to everyone who saw the installation on site or online. The project was funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Community parters include Georgetown Business Improvement District, DC Mayor’s Office on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs, Mom’s Clean Air Force, Anacostia Arts Center, Adams Morgan Community Center, and media partners We Act Radio and WPFW. Here is the livestream video from the dedication, followed by some images. All images ©2020, Monica Jahan Bose, photo credit: Paris Preston, Sora Yamahira, and Monica Jahan Bose.