Can Greek Mythology help us beat Climate Change?

 

Icarus in bronze, by Jonesy

Icarus in bronze, by Jonesy

 

This is a sculpture of a man who suffered directly from the consequences of his actions. He has been depicted across time in oils, bronze, printing and pen. He has influenced not only visual artists but writers from Chaucer, Shakespeare to Milton and Joyce; and many psychologists too. This is Icarus. His story is as relevant today as ever.

This was made by London based artist Jonesy, one of over twenty ‘Human Nature’ artists, the UK’s first dedicated platform for environmental art supported by Abundance. Last week the company launched it’s Consequences campaign, and as Founder and Curator of Human Nature, I want to look at what the arts have to say on the matter.

The Story of Icarus

Lets step back a little. In Greek mythology Icarus attempted to escape Crete using wings made of feathers and wax by his father the master craftsman Daedalus. But his extreme self-confidence resulted in his ultimate end.

Before flying, his father warned him of the risks of over confidence and complacency, asking that he fly neither too high nor too low, as the sea’s dampness would clog his wings or the sun’s heat would melt them. But Icarus ignored his father’s words. He flew too close to the sun, giddy with the excitement of flying and overcome by self-belief. The heat melted the wax, Icarus kept flapping his wings but his feathers fell away leaving him with just his bare arms. He tumbled into the sea, now known as the Icarian Sea near the island of Samos in Greece.  This is the tragedy of failure.

Read the full blog on the Abundance website.