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The Rich Will Survive
Architect and artist Adrien Tirtiaux uses his art to spark conversation about social problems. The work 'The Rich Will Survive' exemplifies the consequences of climate change for people.
Architect and artist Adrien Tirtiaux creates a conversation about social problems through his art. The artwork 'The Rich Will Survive' is an example of the consequences of climate change for people. Text: Etienne Boileau
Online editing: Mical Joseph
POPULATION PYRAMID
Adrien Tirtiaux (b. BE 1980) was originally trained as an architect, but prefers to call himself an artist. In his installations and constructions he tries to explain the relationship of man to his environment and at the same time map socialization processes. For the 2021 IJsselbiennale, Tirtiaux summarized the humanitarian consequences of climate change very clearly in an impressive 'population pyramid' that he titled The Rich Will Survive. With this work of art he made an extremely critical commentary, because the vast majority of the population on earth will be the first and strongest affected by the consequences of climate change. This unfortunate group is symbolically represented in the pyramid by the cheap building materials at the base. As you move up, the materials used become increasingly expensive and durable: the top of the pyramid turns out to be gold, the bottom is made of a cheap type of wood. The rich of the earth (the expensive materials at the top of the pyramid) will literally and figuratively be able to keep their heads above water the longest, but only because they are supported by the layers below them. With this installation, Adrien Tirtiaux depicts the humanitarian consequences of climate change in a clear but also confrontational way.
ADRIENTIRTIAUX.EU
LXRY LIST 2022
The annual LXRY List 2022 booklet takes a look into the distance, where new opportunities dawn. Doing business with a view to a better world. Rewilding Europe is committed to saving lost animal species by making room for truly wild nature. And De Apostelhoeve is taking advantage of the warming by growing wine on the Limburg hills and gaining international recognition for it. In addition to these budding economies, attention is also paid to sustainable initiatives. Such as the new Tank Must from Cartier, a watch that runs on solar energy. And a lamp against light pollution. But the list also includes an over-the-top hotel stay in Versailles Palace. Après nous, le déluge? No, but there should also be room to enjoy and experience in the new world.
