A Space for Grief: The Climate Artivism of the Red Rebel Brigade
A Space for Grief: The Climate Artivism of the Red Rebel Brigade

Summary/Abstract: This article examines performances by the climate artivist group Red Rebel Brigade, who appear at climate change demonstrations in full-body red costumes and perform in silence and slow motion. The performances aim to “embody the grief of the Earth” by creating an emotional space. Apart from analysing the Red Rebels’ performances, this article also discusses whether the concept of grief is useful in climate mobilisations. The Red Rebel Brigade is seen as a manifestation of post-apocalyptic environmentalism — an activism that acknowledges that the climate catastrophe has already occurred. The article examines this concept using an intermedial framework and a space-place theory. Space is understood as a category that is created relationally between people and places, as well as between people. Content analysis was used to analyse material consisting of YouTube videos of manifestations relating to COP26 in Glasgow in 2021 and A Funeral for Nature in Bath in 2024. The analysis yielded four types of relational spaces through the Red Rebel’s relationships with the environment, other people, the mass media, and other media. The results showed that, during the COP26 performance, the Red Rebels focused strongly on creating striking images for mass media. However, it seemed that they did not engage with or make sense to bystanders. By contrast, the use of a funeral theme in the Bath action seemed more intelligible to those not involved in the performance, making it easier for them to engage with it. Lastly, the question of whether grief can be fruitful in climate activism is addressed. One problem with grief is that, if it is fruitful, it leads to acceptance rather than action, Consequently, mobilisations focused on climate change may be better served by emotions such as fear, panic and anger.

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