A surprising art installation has captured the attention of passers-by and tourists. The ice polar bear, two meters high and positioned in Piazza Castello, is has become the icon of an urgent and necessary discussion on climate change.
To symbolically kick off Planet Week, an imposing ice statue depicting a white bear has appeared in front of the gates of the Royal Palace. This extraordinary performance was organized and promoted by AWorld and Club Silencio, with the fundamental support of the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation. Carved from a single block of ice and exposed to the light of the April sun, the work gradually melts, offering viewers a first-hand depiction of the fragility of Earth’s ecosystems in an age of climate change. At the bear’s feet, a clearly visible writing reads: “A climate of change can stop climate change”,
The unusual presence of the polar bear aroused curiosity and reflection among the citizens of Turin and the numerous tourists who flock to the city. Many stopped to take selfies next to the ice sculpture, while others shared on social media their surprise at such a powerful symbol of climate change. With the upcoming arrival of the Earth Day, scheduled for Saturday 20 Aprilthe ice polar bear stands as a tangible reminder of the importance of protecting and preserving our planet.
Art, in this context, proves to be a powerful tool for stimulating public debate and encouraging concrete actions to tackle the climate crisis. As the polar bear ice slowly melts before the eyes of citizens, it also represents the uncertain fate of vulnerable animal species and ecosystems that are threatened by climate change.
