Oliver Jordan Ressler is a prominent figure in the contemporary art world, known for his dual role as an artist and activist. His work spans various mediums, including installations, public space projects, films, and photographic works, all of which address critical issues such as capitalism, democracy, racism, and climate justice. Ressler’s unique approach to art and activism has made him a significant voice in the fight against climate breakdown and social injustices.
This article delves into his life, artistic practice, notable works, and the philosophical and political stances that underpin his activism.
Early Life and Background
Oliver Jordan Ressler was born in 1970 in Knittelfeld, Austria, and currently resides in Vienna. His parents, Jami Gertz and Tony Ressler have been influential figures in his life, shaping his perspectives and career path. Growing up in a family that valued social justice and activism, Ressler was exposed to various forms of resistance and social alternatives from a young age. This upbringing played a important role in shaping his career as an artist and activist, driving him to explore the intersections of art and politics.
Artistic Practice and Themes
Oliver Jordan Ressler’s work operates in the space between visual art and activism, blurring the boundaries between the two. He employs diverse artistic mediums, including public spaces, installations, photographic work, drawings, and sculptural works, to address pressing social and political issues. His approach is deeply rooted in the belief that art can be a powerful tool for social change, capable of making invisible issues visible and mobilizing people for important actions.
Climate Justice Focus
One of the central themes in Oliver Jordan Ressler’s work is climate justice. He focuses on making visible the hidden aspects of systems dependent on fossil fuels and highlighting those challenging these systems. His films and exhibitions often showcase grassroots movements and mass civil disobedience actions related to climate justice. For instance, his film series “Everything’s Coming Together While Everything’s Falling Apart” documents environmental activists and their actions across Europe, highlighting the challenges and failures of international climate governance.
Curatorial and Educational Efforts
Oliver Jordan Ressler’s work extends beyond creating art; he also engages in curatorial and educational efforts. He brings together artists and activists to discuss the relationship between climate breakdown and cultural production. These efforts aim to foster a deeper understanding of the systemic issues underlying climate change and to inspire collective action towards a more just and sustainable future.
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Climate Justice | Focus on making visible the hidden aspects of systems dependent on fossil fuels |
| Critique of Neoliberalism | Critique of neoliberal capitalism and its impact on the environment |
| Direct Action and Civil Disobedience | Support for direct action and civil disobedience as necessary tactics in the fight against climate breakdown |
| Role of the Global North | Emphasis on the responsibility of the Global North in addressing climate breakdown |
Notable Works and Projects
This series of films created between 2016 and 2020, documents events of mass civil disobedience related to the climate justice movement. The films cover significant actions such as the blockade of an open-pit coal mine outside Berlin, the obstruction of Europe’s second-largest coal port in Amsterdam, and the occupation of the Venice Film Festival red carpet. These films highlight the rebellious joy of creative artistic activism and the challenges of international climate governance.
Barricading the Ice Sheets
“Barricading the Ice Sheets” is another significant project by Oliver Jordan Ressler, involving multiple exhibitions across Europe focusing on the climate movement. The project includes the film “Not Sinking, Swarming,” which documents the planning of a highway blockade in Madrid. To protect the activists from potential harassment and persecution, Ressler had to anonymize them in the film. This project underscores the need for direct action and civil disobedience in the fight against climate breakdown.
Flood Tide of Resistance
This exhibition, which opened in Limassol, Cyprus, presents the work of artists supporting the climate justice movement. It brings together a diverse group of artists who produce their works in dialogue with the climate justice movements, reflecting the global scale of the threat and the collective determination to counteract it. The exhibition highlights the intersectional nature of the climate justice movement and its potential to drive significant social change.
| Project Title | Description | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Everything’s Coming Together While Everything’s Falling Apart | Series of films documenting environmental activists and their actions across Europe | 2016-2020 |
| Barricading the Ice Sheets | Multiple exhibitions focusing on the climate movement, including the film “Not Sinking, Swarming” | 2021 |
| Flood Tide of Resistance | Exhibition presenting the work of artists supporting the climate justice movement | 2022 |
Philosophical and Political Stance
Oliver Jordan Ressler’s work is deeply critical of neoliberal capitalism and its impact on the environment. He believes that the obstacles to successful climate solutions are fundamentally political and economic. His films and exhibitions often critique the art world’s insularity and the need to bring art into the real world to mobilize people for important actions. Ressler emphasizes the responsibility of the Global North in addressing climate breakdown and advocates for financial compensation to the Global South.
Role of the Global North
Oliver Jordan Ressler highlights the disproportionate responsibility of the Global North in contributing to climate breakdown and the need for these countries to take significant action to mitigate their impact. He advocates for financial compensation to the Global South, which often bears the brunt of climate change despite contributing the least to its causes. This stance is evident in his works that critique the economic interests of corporations and the failure of international climate agreements to address the root causes of global warming.
Activism and Direct Action
Ressler supports direct action and civil disobedience as necessary tactics in the fight against climate breakdown. He believes that mass mobilization and assemblies play a important role in planning and executing these actions. His films often document these assemblies, providing a platform for direct decision-making and fostering a more inclusive and democratic society. Ressler’s approach to filmmaking is influenced by his collaborations with activists of social movements, and he always has a clear agenda with every piece of work he undertakes.
Collaborations and Influences
Oliver Jordan Ressler’s work is characterized by his collaborations with activists of social movements and his approach to filmmaking, which is influenced by budget, format, and context. He has worked with various artists and activists, including Dario Azzellini, with whom he produced a cycle of films on factories under workers’ control in Europe. These collaborations have enriched his work, allowing him to explore different perspectives and approaches to addressing social and political issues.
Public Engagements and Lectures
Ressler has been involved in numerous public engagements and lectures, sharing his insights on the visible and invisible faces of capitalism and the potential for art to make invisible things visible. Notable engagements include his presentation at NSCAD University and his involvement in discussions on the role of art in addressing climate breakdown. These engagements have helped raise awareness about the systemic issues underlying climate change and inspired action towards a more just and sustainable future.
Conclusion
Oliver Jordan Ressler’s contributions to art and activism have been significant in raising awareness about climate justice and systemic issues. His work operates at the intersection of art and activism, using diverse artistic mediums to address critical social and political issues. Through his films, exhibitions, curatorial efforts, and public engagements, Ressler has inspired collective action toward a more just and sustainable future.
His critique of neoliberal capitalism, emphasis on the responsibility of the Global North, and support for direct action and civil disobedience highlight the urgent need for systemic change to address the climate crisis. Ressler’s work serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for art to drive social change and mobilize people for important actions.
FAQ’s
Who are Oliver Jordan Ressler’s parents?
Oliver Jordan Ressler’s parents are Jami Gertz and Tony Ressler. They have been influential figures in his life, shaping his perspectives and career path.
How did Oliver Jordan Ressler’s upbringing influence his career?
Growing up in a family that valued social justice and activism, Ressler was exposed to various forms of resistance and social alternatives from a young age. This upbringing played a important role in shaping his career as an artist and activist.
What are the main themes in Oliver Jordan Ressler’s work?
A4: The main themes in Ressler’s work include climate justice, critiques of neoliberal capitalism, and the role of the Global North in addressing climate breakdown. His work often showcases grassroots movements and mass civil disobedience actions related to these themes.
What is Oliver Jordan Ressler’s critique of neoliberal capitalism?
Ressler’s work is deeply critical of neoliberal capitalism and its impact on the environment. He believes that the obstacles to successful climate solutions are fundamentally political and economic, and his work often critiques the art world’s insularity and the need to bring art into the real world to mobilize people for important actions.
What is Ressler’s stance on the role of the Global North in addressing climate breakdown?
Ressler highlights the disproportionate responsibility of the Global North in contributing to climate breakdown and advocates for financial compensation to the Global South. He believes that these countries need to take significant action to mitigate their impact.
