The Treachery of Words
The mixed-media tetraptych, The Treachery of Words (2025) dissects and processes the underpinnings of Ali Raizin’s own climate grief.
In this piece, Ali designs a pixel-perfect reproduction of a selection of the original ads, then silkscreens each onto paper before selectively marking out the text with powdered carbon. She records herself through the screening and marking process, working through her feelings and anger.
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The Treachery of Words (2025)
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ink and powdered carbon on archival paper
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tetraptych, 18” x 24” each
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Shown at Art Ecosystem, ((San Francisco, 2025)
She traced the origin of her own ecological anxiety to the BP ad series that popularized the concept of the carbon footprint in the early 2000s to reframe the issue from a systemic problem to an individual failing. Ali recalls the feeling of guilt that came from discovering her personal contribution to climate change when using the BP carbon footprint calculator on their website.
The meaning of the text shifts once again, reframing the issue from an individual failure to a systemic problem once again.
The title text states: “Feel the earth In crisis.”
The remaining body text includes the original admission: “The power sector is the largest single source of carbon dioxide emissions.”