Sexy Sustainable – Sustainably Sexy

Climate change, food shortages and the energy crisis - the majority of citizens and politicians are aware of the daunting challenges of our time. However, these issues seldom have practical consequences on how we lead our lives. How might "sustainable action" work? Does it automatically entail reducing or even ceasing our consumption of attractive, "stylish" products?
In August 2009 Kampnagel hosted the International Summer Festival with the motto "Sustainability - A Question of Style?" As part of the festival, the project "Sexy Sustainable - Sustainably Sexy" presented dance and theatre performances, installations and events in public space which address this and other issues. One of the invited guests was Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping, which shuns capitalism and "preaches" the virtues of critical consumption and environmentally-friendly behaviour.
The programme also included a Sustainably Sexy Fair which began with a competition in December 2008. The contest called for ideas pertaining to sustainability that are also persuasive in terms of their outward attractiveness - or their style. Ten of the submitted projects were selected for realisation and another ten were exhibited as concepts.

Artistic director: Matthias von Hartz
Artists: Rodrigo Garcia (AR), Reverend Billy (USA) and others

Venue and schedule:
Kampnagel International Summer Festival, Hamburg: 13-30 Aug. 2009