The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York (TECO-NY) and Human Impacts Institute (HII) co-hosted a closing party for the 2016 Creative Climate Awards on October 27, 2016. Deputy Director-General Brian Su awarded the first prize of 2,000 USD to the winner Vikram Arora, an Indian artist who is visiting the U.S. for the first time.

DDG Brian Su stated “Over the past month, we have hosted the Creative Climate Awards exhibit and three other climate-inspired performances including moving image, modern dance, and a jazz band and string quartet to showcase the impact humans are having on the environment and further inspire us to take action to counter climate change. I am very happy that we can contribute to this great event.”

The artwork on display in “KALAVA movement” uses the red Indian thread known as Kalava to raise awareness about Deforestation. In Hinduism a KAVALA is usually tied on a person’s wrist or on a holy banyan tree as a religious ritual. In many Indian temples one can find a Banyan tree with a red thread tied to it. In his artwork the artist is urging his viewers to take action against deforestation.

In order to raise awareness of the impact human beings have on the environment, Ms. Tara DePorte, the Executive Director of the HII?initiated the CCA in 2010 and facilitates this competition to encourage environmental artists to present their work.

Over 40 climate change inspired pieces of artwork, created by artists spanning five continents, are currently on display at TECO-NY. The artwork will be on display through November 2nd. ‘)}