The Moody Center for the Arts at Rice University will host “Breath(e): Toward Climate and Social Justice,” an exhibition that highlights the intersection of environmental and social justice issues. The exhibition opens Jan. 24 with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. featuring remarks by artists Mel Chin , Xin Liu, Tiffany Chung and Cannupa Hanska Luger. This Houston debut offers a powerful exploration of global challenges through the lens of art, showcasing works by 14 local and international artists.
“We are thrilled to bring this exhibition to Houston and invite the community to experience these powerful works,” said Alison Weaver, the Suzanne Deal Booth Executive Director of the Moody Center. “Art has a unique ability to challenge us, inspire change and bridge the gap between science and society.”
The exhibition features a wide range of works addressing climate change and its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities. From site-specific installations to interactive community workshops, “Breath(e)” engages visitors in a dialogue that is both urgent and inspiring.
Originally curated for the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles as part of the Getty’s PST ART: “Art & Science Collide” initiative, “Breath(e)” arrives at the Moody with a refreshed focus on the Gulf Coast. Among the highlights is Hanska Luger’s two-channel video project created specifically for Houston, which complements his “Sovereign” installation from the “Future Ancestral Technologies” series. Liu, artist-in-residence at Rice’s Houston Asian American Archive, will contribute a new sculpture crafted from recycled PET plastics encased in liquid enzymes designed to degrade the work throughout the exhibition’s run. Brandon Ballengée, known for his ecologically focused art, will lead workshops centered on Gulf Coast biodiversity and the lingering effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Jin-me Yoon will reimagine her multichannel video installation “Turning Time (Pacific Flyways)” to reflect Gulf Coast landscapes.
Locally adapting the exhibition aligns with its goal of fostering region-specific discussions about global issues.
“The Moody presentation brings a critical regional perspective to this important dialogue,” Weaver said. “The Gulf Coast’s unique environmental and industrial challenges make Houston an essential part of the conversation about climate and social equity.”
The exhibition also includes works by prominent artists such as LaToya Ruby Frazier, Yoshitomo Nara and Sandy Rodriguez. Each piece offers a distinct perspective on the ways climate crises intersect with social inequities from displaced communities to endangered ecosystems.
“Breath(e)” will run through May 10. Admission is free, and the exhibition is supported by the Teiger Foundation, Moody Center for the Arts Founders Circle and other generous contributors. For more information about the exhibition, click here.