Xavier Cortada is proud to be showing “Underwater Vote” at the University of Miami Department of Art and Art History’s Faculty Art Exhibition at the University of Miami Gallery in Wynwood from October 8th – November 5th.
In collaboration with University of Miami students, UM Professor of Practice Xavier Cortada created “Underwater Vote” installations on campus at UM’s Foote Green, “U” statue and Lakeside Village from October 12th – November 3rd.
I launched the Underwater HOA in 2018 to make our vulnerability to rising seas impossible to ignore.
After the 2018 mid-term elections, I asked community members to repurpose their political yard signs and make a political statement about sea level rise: Paint them white like the glaciers in Antarctica, with a squiggly blue line at the bottom to denote sea level rise as those glaciers melt. I then asked them to put the elevation of their property on that line to portray how many feet until sea level rise has water lapping at their doorstep. That was my way of letting neighbors know that Antarctica doesn’t care what political party you belong to – it will flood you regardless.
You should still do this, but you may want to consider placing another sign on your lawn…
As the 2020 election quickly approaches, the Underwater HOA is launching the “Underwater Vote Campaign” across Miami-Dade County. I want us to make sure we vote, not just thinking about our immediate needs but also the greater chaos to come unless those we elect into office equitably address our climate emergency.
Become Underwater Voters:
The Underwater HOA wants you to tell others to think about a future impacted by sea level rise when voting.
yard signs
Step 1 – Make your sign and place it in your front lawn
Take a white poster board or paint a repurposed yard sign in white (for Antarctic melting glaciers), draw a squiggly blue line across the bottom (representing rising seas), and then write the word “VOTE” in black capital letters across the sign (the height of that squiggly blue line will be determined by the policies enacted by those who we vote into office)
Step 2 – Share your voice: Take a picture with your sign and share it on social media tagging #underwatervote
Step 3 – Research your candidates (what’s their climate plan?), start conversations with friends and family, and VOTE
digital signs
Step 1 – Download the Underwater Vote background and use it during Zoom calls
Step 2 – Take a screenshot in front of your Underwater Vote background and share it on social media tagging #underwatervote
Step 3 – Research your candidates (what’s their climate plan?), start conversations with friends and family, and VOTE
zoom background
To mobilize voters on a virtual platform, download this Zoom background image! Use this background to spur conversations about the necessity of voting during Zoom calls with friends, family, and colleagues.
To download the image, simply click it and save it to your computer.
register to vote
General election deadline October 5, 2020 – https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1482258761076685
vote-by-mail ballot
General election deadline October 1, 2020 – https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1512065909614490