WePresent, the editorial platform of WeTransfer, and the Serpentine come together to present Groundwork: a series of five digital mini-encyclopaedias exploring the research behind artists’ new work for Back to Earth, the Serpentine’s multi-year project focused on instigating change in response to the climate crisis.
Each month, starting from 28th January, Groundwork invites viewers to immerse themselves in the artistic worlds of Revital Cohen & Tuur Van Balen, Vivienne Westwood, Karrabing Film Collective, Himali Singh Soin and Tabita Rezaire. Groundwork is a multimedia compilation of the inspiration behind the never-before-seen artworks, documenting the creative processes of these unique artists. Together, they offer an insight into the many ways that artists for Back to Earth are responding to the climate emergency.
Available exclusively on WePresent, Groundwork places global perspectives from Australia, French Guiana, Himalayas and London in conversation with one another, adding to the editorial platform’s coverage of creativity from over 101 countries across the globe. As part of this project, each artist has chosen a charitable organisation and with WePresent, invites the public to act on the artists’ ecological visions. Revital Cohen & Tuur Van Balen, the first artists featured, have chosen the Climate Emergency Fund (CEF), to which members of the public will be able to donate via their WePresent feature and a dedicated wallpaper on the WeTransfer site. CEF will deploy 100% of the funds to frontline climate activists campaigning for policymakers to take radical action.
Leveraging its platform to crowdsource philanthropy, WeTransfer will match up to 30,000€ in donations pledged by audiences to the artists’ chosen charities. This commitment continues the company’s dedication to enhancing its positive social impact, having pledged to reduce 30% of its carbon emissions by 2025. The Groundwork project launches in light of WeTransfer’s recent certification as a B Corporation – a prestigious standard achieved by few global technology organisations.
Holly Fraser, Editor-in-Chief of WePresent, said: “Our collaboration with the Serpentine Galleries is our third with a major art institution, testament to WePresent and WeTransfer’s commitment to supporting the arts. Essential to the Groundwork project is that it shines a light on the creative process, the north star to WeTransfer’s set of tools.”
Bettina Korek, Chief Executive, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, Artistic Director, Serpentine said:“The Serpentine is delighted to work with WePresent to lift the veil on some of the creative processes behind these urgent projects that make up Back to Earth, the backbone of our Ecology Programme. This collaboration with WePresent not only gives us all a chance to dive into artists’ worlds that are usually hidden, but amplifies these discoveries on a global scale.”
The Serpentine’s long term environmental programme Back to Earth investigates questions like: How can art respond to the climate crisis? What can artists contribute at this moment of global emergency? Each Back to Earth project also doubles an environmental campaign, from speculative investigations on one side of the spectrum, to concrete activism on the other. To find out more, explore campaigns from artists including Olafur Eliasson, Maria Theresa Alves and Judy Chicago with Jane Fonda and Swoon and look out for a major Back to Earth exhibition at the Serpentine, coming soon.
Groundwork launches on 28th January 2021 with Heavens by Revital Cohen & Tuur Van Balen. It is exclusively available on the WePresent website
