“What climate action hopes, dreams and gifts can I bring to create a more beautiful world that we all know is possible, starting right here in Boulder?” A frail, twisted and generous tree encourages attendees to ask this of themselves.
As the sun begins to recede behind the Flatirons, the Talkback Café tent, located on Pearl St. near 14th, becomes a hub for thoughtful discussion. While festival-goers enjoy Shamane’s pastries and samples of cold-brewed NüBrü Coffee, film director Prof. Ossama Mohammed engages an audience concerning the realities of Syria, from a local perspective, and the misconceptions that mass media have spread. His film, Silvered Water, Syria Self-Portrait reveals the everyday atrocities that have occurred under the oppressive Assad Regime. The discussion that Prof. Ossama Mohammed hosts is not to lament, but to give. He presents attendees with an opportunity to be aware and act on that awareness so that we may all share a more beautiful world.
Behind the audience, silently and gracefully poised in a corner, is “The Giving Tree.” Modeled after the wisteria tree, known for thriving and enduring all circumstances, this new addition to the Talkback Café encourages Boulder residents to create small changes and continue to hope. It is “a place to reflect on each of our unique gifts to contribute back and to help,” in the artist’s own words.
Theresa Lopez, a local graphic designer, donated the project. The installation is a part of Impact Hub‘s Global Town Hall initiative, thriving to bring film makers, activists, and politicians into collaboration. Nearly every aspect of the installation is comprised of recycled and donated materials.
Theresa was principally inspired by Shel Silverstein, and excited to return to creating art with her hands. As festival-goers write their hopes, dreams, and gifts on small cut-out leafs to tie to the tree’s many branches, it slowly blooms to life. So far, these messages include promises to bees, thoughts about plastics, and desires around personal connection, among many others.
As for BIFF, the festival has taken its own initiative towards a more beautiful world by staffing over 50 volunteers for the Green Team. Every venue and gala, including the Talkback Café tent, has bins for compost, trash, and recycling, donated by Western Disposal. Additionally, a team member has been assigned to attend each station, at all times, to assure that all disposals are properly sorted and, moreover, to educate attendees. At the end of the festival, all of the rubbish will be measured, Edmée Knight shared with me.
“The Giving Tree” was unveiled earlier today and will reside at the Talkback Café for the duration of the festival.
What action will BIFF 2015 inspire you to take?
