Shift Festival


Photographer: Kathy Barber / Courtesy of Cape Farewell.

Southbank Centre Artist in Residence Cape Farewell pioneers a cultural response to climate change. Working internationally, it brings artists, scientists and communicators together to stimulate ideas and the production of art founded in scientific research.

SHIFT is a festival with a climate focus inspired by Cape Farewell’s expeditions to the High Arctic and the rainforests in Peru. Leading up to two special concerts - Marcus Brigstocke with special guests (29 January) and Robyn Hitchcock presents a Maritime Evening with special guests (30 January) - Southbank Centre hosts free events engaging artists, architects and scientists in discussion about climate change and showcasing creative work in response to questions of sustainability.

www.capefarewell.com/art/exhibitions/shift-festival.html

On Saturday 23^rd January over 2000 professional and amateur photographers gathered in Trafalgar Square, central London to protest against the unfair use of anit-terrorism laws which can stop photographers taking pictures in public places. This could also see the end of street photography in the UK.

The protest was organised by the group - I'm a photographer, Not a Terrorist!

© Neil A White

The four Greenpeace activists who made a peaceful non violent protest have been released after spending 20 days in prison.

They impersonated world leaders and gate crashed a heads of state dinner at the climate talks in Copenhagen. Two of the activists dressed in black tie and posed as representatives of an imaginary country called Mother Earth. When walking along the red carpet just behind Hilary Clinton (US secretary of state) they unfurled banners saying: "Politicians talk, leaders act".

Have a look at this short film from Greenpeace which tells their story.