Climate Power's 'Danger Season' Dioramas Draw Attention to Big Oil's Corruption

Produced by m ss ng p eces and brought to life by the creative direction of Annie Saunders, Climate Power unveiled an immersive installation highlighting the apocalyptic-level destruction caused by Big Oil's corruption and the widespread impacts of extreme weather events. The production team worked on the project for over two months and took five days to set up the installation. 

Steps from the 2024 Republican National Convention, the striking dioramas comprised six storefront windows transformed into expressive scenes illustrating the fallout from deadly heat, flooding, and landslides. Underscoring the urgent threats posed, the scenes were bolstered by live performers and utilised eye-catching movement and changing lighting. The project’s main goal was to confront convention attendees with scenes inspired by the real-life consequences of Republican policies. 

“Among the greatest powers and functions of art are its ability to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and bring the issues of our time to the forefront,” Annie emphasised. “These dioramas are rooted in real stories from real survivors, juxtaposed with how oil companies and their ties to our elected officials exacerbate the climate crisis. The critical work of Climate Power is a clarion call to remind everyone how these issues threaten our future.”

The installation brought the fleeting imagery people can easily scroll past daily on social media and news outlets, translating them into a three-dimensional space meant to stop people in their tracks. 

Inspired by real-life survivors of extreme weather, scenes included: 

• Seek Alternative Shelter: Extreme heat. Plastic chairs melting, toys disintegrating, and walls bubbling under a haze of orange light symbolising thick air pollution.
• Vanishing Act: Office setting with figures in suits seated at a conference table, their heads buried under sand, glitched news playing, highlighting ignorance and denial.
• Overburden: Extreme rain and flooding. Furniture overturned, broken glass, and water-damaged walls amidst a chaotic scene of stormy weather.

Deborah Parker, a survivor of extreme heat, said, “I've witnessed first hand the cruel reality of the climate crisis.” A long time resident of Tucson, Arizona, she added, “These extreme weather events are growing more powerful, more dangerous, and more deadly by the day, while the oil and gas industry gains record profits.”

The installation launched on July 15th and closed at the end of the day on Tuesday, July 16th, 2024. Climate Power is a strategic communications organisation that seeks to educate Americans on climate change. 

Annie is a multidisciplinary creator and director. She has created award-winning unique large-scale experiences and multiplatform projects for MasterCard, Santander, Hewlett-Packard, Dos Equis, Bulleit Bourbon, and ASICS Worldwide, as well as The Los Angeles Philharmonic and other major arts institutions.

Photo credits: Tom Krawczyk for Climate Power / Getty Images for Climate Power