Earth Speakr

Kids take over Earth Speakr, an interactive artwork started by Olafur Eliasson
Earth Speakr is a new artwork by artist Olafur Eliasson that amplifies kids’ views on the future of the planet. The artwork invites adults and today’s decision-makers, change-makers, and global leaders to listen up to what kids have to say.
1 July 2020 - Earth Speakr launches today, inviting kids across the world to collectively create an artwork by speaking up for the future of our planet.
The artwork is created and developed by artist Olafur Eliasson, with the creative and technical cooperation of AKQA, and includes a free app on iOS and Android and a website at www.earthspeakr.art. Through augmented reality, kids can animate their environment and speak up for their local surroundings and the planet.
At www.earthspeakr.art, everyone can create AR collections of messages – so-called ‘Loud Speakrs’ – encouraging others to listen to what kids have to say, too.
The predominantly digital artwork results from the collaboration between Eliasson’s studio and a team including kids, researchers, and other specialists. Earth Speakr is available in the 24 official languages of the European Union and was created on the occasion of the German Presidency of the Council of the EU 2020. The artwork is funded by the Foreign Federal Office and realised in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut. Earth Speakr has also partnered with a network of museums, libraries, and educational institutions, such as the Goethe-Institut, to share the artwork online and in person when and where possible in times of social distancing.
Olafur Eliasson said: “Earth Speakr is a collective artwork that invites kids to be artists. What Earth Speakr will become depends on the Earth Speakrs – their creativity and imagination. The artwork is made up of their thoughts and visions, concerns and hopes. What they create can be playful and whimsical, serious or poetic. There is no right or wrong, and it is easy for everyone to take part. Earth Speakr invites kids to speak their hearts and minds and participate in shaping our world and the planet, today and in the future.”