8. Possible World at Midnight Moment in Times Square

Still image from Possible World by Ezra Wube. Courtesy of the artist, Little Sun, and Times Square Arts.
Still image from Possible World by Ezra Wube. Courtesy of the artist, Little Sun, and Times Square Arts.

During the month of September, Times Square Arts will present Possible World by Ezra Wube. The painted animation will be part of the Times Square Arts Midnight Moment series, airing across 75 electronic billboards throughout Times Square from 11:57 to 12:00 p.m every day. Possible World was created as part of Fast ForwardLittle Sun’s series of short films exploring five artists’ dreams for a regenerative world. Inspired by interviews conducted with over 100 individuals across Ethiopia, Possible World works to bring these subjects’ dreams for a more sustainable world to life. It begins with a focus on current sustainable practices before moving to explore other measures to create a healthier future for the Earth. For viewers, Possible World also asks them to consider what a more sustainable New York City might look like. 

For Wube, “Growing up in a country where over 80% of the population’s livelihood depends on agriculture — mostly rain-fed — its socioeconomic dependency is extremely vulnerable to the rapid climate change we are facing. I chose to explore the subject as a means to investigate and learn about these conditions, and to have a communal dialogue of possible solutions. I’m inspired in creating work through community engagement where individuals’ voices can be a potential catalyst for actions to develop a sustainable world.”