And so it begins….
Starting with an art class I took last year at IslandWood for my Perceptual Ecology Class. The premise that becoming aware of what is around you is important ( an art in itself actually) and important in studying ecology. Our task was to create art that somehow related to nature. For ten days I created art with whatever was around me physically. My personal challenge was to not bring anything outside the immediate area into the art I was creating. Further, I was banking on the hope that people would interact with it. And so a laminated sign (which to my surprise no one destroyed or took in that 10 day period) accompanied each Nature Art piece and asked people to interact with the art however they were moved. Only once did someone pick up all the pieces (it was garbage) and put it in the trash. It was so much fun…albeit a little stressful at times, because I had to do it 10 consecutive days in a row. No rest for the weary. Rain, snow, or shine…I created, photographed, left, photographed and disassembled all the pieces (the garbage ones to the trash) and returned them to their original places. I’d love to do this kind of project again.
Perpectual Ecology--Tree
Perceptual Ecology--Garbage Art 1
Perceptual Ecology--Garbage Art 1-redo
Perceptual Ecology--Nature's Art
Perceptual Ecology--Nature's Art 2
Perceptual Ecology--Nature's Art 2--redo
Perceptual Ecology--Nature's Art 3
Perceptual Ecology--Snow Day
Perceptual Ecology--Snow Day--redo
Perceptual Ecology--Rock Dolls
Perceptual Ecology--Rock Dolls--Surf's Up!
Perceptual Ecology--Garbage Art 2
Perceptual Ecology--Garbage Art 2--redo
Cool!
Is the word gratitude written with dog poo? It sre looks like it would… That would be such a fresh take to the word ;P
Mikael,
That would have been an AWESOME twist–but sadly, no those are pine cones….:( But there are a ton of dogs that go running there–and I bet they are “grateful” to not have to poo in their own yards!!
Hi Emily! What a great project – very inventive and creative! I love that you invited people to interact with your art, too. Glad to see you’re back blogging and posting photos (my favorite part, of course!) Happy New Year!
Hello Emily,
How nice to meet you. I am happy to see that my doctoral research on “Art-Based Perceptual Ecology As A Way Of Knowing The Language Of Place” is still inspiring others. It’s especially great to see graduate students from IslandWood still practicing an assignment I developed while graduate professor there, during my tenure from 2001-2005. Over those years I had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people and got to experience very creative students and educators who were able to express their relationship with nature through Art-Based Perceptual Ecology (ABPE). The concept of using art was very foreign for some students and a struggle. I saw students who were fearful and closed down upon being met with this assignment. Often they were the one’s who were ecstatic at the final piece they created. I would enjoy hearing more about your thoughts on ABPE and how/if it has impacted your life. I am currently an artist-in-residence at the Museum of Contemporary Art-Tucson and am involved in independent research practicing ABPE in the Sonoran Desert.
Dear Lee Ann,
I would be very interested to read your dissertation “Art-Based Perceptual Ecology As A Way Of Knowing The Language Of Place.” Is there some way in which this is possible?
I can be reached at polarstarcentre(at)yahoo.com
Many thanks in advance,
Jan van Boeckel
research group on arts-based environmental education
I’ve arrived Emily! Albeit at work, undisturbed from the little darlings demanding I look at them, and not this glowing rectangle! = )
What I want to know, is why is a certain pregnant IslandWood employee NOT pictured on your ecologic art display?
I do remember that certain preggo laying her rotund arse down on the ground to interact with your nature art.
I see she didn’t make ‘the cut?’
Just messing with you sugar… great job, love your writing and pictures are grand!
Besames muchos!
Christina of the Isle