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Jonathan T.D. Neil critiques art's climate activism and market solipsism

opinion-review · 2026-04-20

In a November 2014 editorial, Jonathan T.D. Neil examines the intersections of art, finance, and climate activism, particularly highlighting the People's Climate March that took place on September 21, 2014, which drew over 300,000 participants in Manhattan to promote climate change awareness. The march incorporated artistic expressions, exemplified by Milton Glaser's phrase 'It's Not Warming, It's Dying.' Neil perceives the event as a form of collaborative performance art. He addresses the divestment initiatives targeting fossil fuel companies, mentioning $50 billion pledged by universities and foundations, yet notes their minimal effect on ExxonMobil's $400 billion valuation. He contrasts this with the carbon-pricing advocacy from institutional investors and critiques the current art market's focus, calling for a new 'atmospherics' for future endeavors.

Key facts

  • The People's Climate March occurred on September 21, 2014, in Manhattan's Upper West Side and midtown areas.
  • Over 300,000 people participated in the march to raise awareness about anthropogenic climate change.
  • Graphic designer Milton Glaser launched a campaign with the slogan 'It's Not Warming, It's Dying.'
  • Jonathan T.D. Neil characterizes the march as a collaborative work of performance art focused on recognition.
  • The article mentions artists Jeff Koons and Oscar Murillo, and institutions like Tate and MoMA.
  • Not an Alternative, a Brooklyn-based artist collective, called for museums to divest from fossil fuel stocks.
  • Divestment commitments from foundations, universities, and cultural institutions total $50 billion.
  • ExxonMobil has a market capitalization of around $400 billion, comparable to the 30th largest country's GDP.

Entities

Artists

  • Jonathan T.D. Neil
  • Milton Glaser
  • Jeff Koons
  • Oscar Murillo

Institutions

  • Tate
  • MoMA
  • Not an Alternative
  • ExxonMobil
  • ArtReview

Locations

  • Manhattan
  • Upper West Side
  • midtown Manhattan
  • United States
  • Brooklyn
  • Washington

Sources