The Air We Share

In 2023, Chiang Mai, Thailand, was ranked as having the highest PM 2.5 air pollution in the world. In light of this, a group of artists from Chiang Mai decided to create artworks that reflected their experiences and frustrations with the current issues surrounding air pollution

Among the world's most polluted cities in 2023, Chiang Mai, Thailand, ranked first for PM 2.5 (Particulate Matter). Due to their 0.3 micrometer diameter, PM 2.5 floats in the air for longer periods of time. The result is that they can reach deep into your lungs, and even your blood, where they can cause more serious illnesses. 

After learning about PM 2.5's effects, I wanted to do something, but I wasn't sure where to begin. As a result of my search, I came across Chiang Mai artists whose works reflect their frustration with air pollution and their efforts to combat it. These works are on display in conjunction with the Art For Air exhibition. Despite the work they were doing, I wondered: Can artists really contribute to climate change? As a fellow artist and storyteller, I decided to join them in the absence of an answer.

Over the past few weeks, I have documented various artists' creative processes and learned about their personal experiences with air pollution. As part of my interview, I spoke with a young artist named Sirawit Muenpiw, who grew up in a garbage-filled neighborhood. His work depicted a bird's nest filled with garbage. The metaphor he used to describe his work was that he grew up suffocating in a nest buried beneath garbage, and no matter what he did, he was never able to dig his way out, regardless of how hard he tried. Another artist I spent a lot of time with was Jacob Black, a photographer from the UK. He comes from a country where clean air is free. Having breathed the air of Chiang Mai for a month, he was determined to see what it was like to live in an air-polluted city, and he captured it beautifully.

Artists, unlike other professions, experience climate change differently. By connecting nature with their souls, they are able to express themselves more fully through their artworks. Art itself has the power to move emotions. It is emotions that drive humans to act, and it is humans who make changes. In regards to my question - can artists help combat climate change? No, not directly, but they raise awareness about the issues and inspire people to act. However, when it comes to air pollution, all of us breathe the same air, so we are ultimately responsible for deciding whether or not to act.