All photos Longina WentrysWalking through the woods and cities, I sharpen my senses and start noticing not only views and colours, but also smells and sounds.
I gathered my photos and videos here - primary resources and visual aids that inspire my thinking about the environment in the context of lesson planning for sustainable art.
WORD BANK
THEME, STIMULI, COLOURS, PRIMARY, SECONDARY, TERTIARY, COMPLEMENTARY, DESIGN, PATTERN, TEXTURE, LINE, COMPOSITION, PERSPECTIVE, FOCAL POINT, FORE- MID- BACK-GROUND, FOUND OBJECT, ORGANIC, MAN-MADE, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY, RE-CYCLE, RE-USE, RE-PURPOSE, PRIMARY SOURCE, PHOTO OF REFERENCE, ARTIST INFLUENCE.
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October 2024
TETRAPACK ETCHING - A RECYCLED PRINTMAKING TECHNIQUE
Students use milk or juice cartons, such as those with an aluminum layer inside – this allows them to scratch out (etch) an image with a compass, for example; which they then ink and imprint onto paper. This gives them a simplified view of how the etching printing process works.
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May 2023
INSECTS HOUSE PROJECT
from my teaching sketchbook
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January 2023
BANANA SKETCHBOOKS
- Miss, where did you get the paper to make all these sketchbooks?
- This is upcycled paper in which bananas are wrapped.
- Miss! You must be eating a lot of bananas!
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April 2022
Easter weekend I spent in London visiting exhibitions. One was at the Courtauld Gallery, but the one I wanted to write about was actually not in the building, but outside, in the backyard of Somerset House. My attention was drawn to the enormous shapes as if they were ships or giant sea creatures. Everything shimmered in the sun, some elements waved in the light breeze.
Leeroy New - The Arks of Gimokudan, 2022, Somerset House, London. Photos Longina Wentrys
This was The Arks of Gimokudan, a large-scale installation, of the Philippine artist-designer Leeroy New.
Commissioned by Somerset House to mark the occasion of Earth Day 2022.
Link:
The Arks of Gimokudan by Leeroy New | Somerset House
This striking outdoor installation features three ships, constructed using reused and recycled materials and plastic waste. The artist drew from the history, culture and mythology of his homeland, the Philippines, the country most threatened by the climate crisis, according to a report published in 2019 by the Institute of Economy and Peace. Addressing the often problematic life cycle of everyday objects, the sculptures also confront audiences with the scale of single use plastic waste impacting the UK and the globe on a daily basis. The plastics used within the installation will be collected and recycled following the conclusion of the run.
By occupying a central and popular public space in London, this commission brings attention to the communities and countries which face irreversible damage from the effects of rising sea levels and temperatures, but which are often merely an afterthought in today’s climate change debates.
I wasn't prepared for such a view, I didn't read, I didn't know anything about this artwork nor the artist, so I asked the gallery's invigilator about it. His name was Abdul, and he agreed to record it, and then it turned out that he’s got good knowledge about this installation, which sparked the idea for an interview.
Listen to this 3-minute recordings:
They are special because of the specific back noise – it was a hot day and there were fountains in the yard; and the children squealed with excitement, running and splashing in the water. I was heartbroken when I saw the joy of the kids juxtaposed with my thoughts of how much water is wasted in London.
…recycling is actually not a very smart solution because it requires water and energy to process it. So re-use is a better solution. Art seems to be a challenging platform for this, so I'm glad I asked the question: What will happen to this amount of plastic after dismantling the installation? And I am happy with the answer.
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September 2021
John Gerrard Mirror Pavilion, Leaf Work, Derrigimlagh Bog, Connemara, September 2021. Photo Longina Wentrys
Mirror Pavilion is described as a response to the escalating climate crisis and pushes the boundaries of digital art using simulation. Gerrard has taken digital technology, usually employed by the commercial gaming industry, to create virtual worlds that simulate extremely detailed and authentic landscapes.
See the video:
Watch: John Gerrard's Mirror Pavilion live from Connemara (rte.ie)
The characters and landscapes we see on the LED screen may look like video or film but they are not; they hover in what the artist describes as the ‘slippery space’ between the real and the unreal. These two astonishingly real virtual worlds are meticulously constructed by digital means by the artist, a team of modellers, and programmers. Using a technique described as motion matching John Gerrard generated an ongoing infinite choreography for the characters we see on the screen. Real-life dancers, wearing motion capture suits, walked, danced and performed. This series of motions was then captured and converted into data.
GIAF website:
Mirror Pavilion | Visual Arts | Galway International Arts Festival | Galway International Arts Festival (giaf.ie)
I like the contrast of the regular shapes of the geometric figure bounded by walls and edges with the vastness of the spectacular 4,000-year-old landscape of Derrigimlagh Bog in Connemara. The landscape was reflected in the mirrored walls. When I was standing at this 7 metres high cube, I felt like a tiny part of this installation, the landscape and nature.
A very good example of contemporary art installation for students. Builds vocabulary: large-scale immersive installation, site specific project, living work. A combination of art, modern technology, animation and choreography - also in harmony with nature, a voice for the natural environment.
In 2022 John Gerrard’s Mirror Pavilion will be presented in Australia, as part of the 23rd Biennale of Sydney.
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November 2021
Recently, one article in The Irish Times caught my attention, I was intrigued by the title "Moral Climate" taking on a new meaning.
This article says that, quoting ‘It used to be that when people discussed the moral climate, they were thinking about standards in public life such as integrity, justice and truth, the values that shaped society.’
After the Cop26 conference, the words morality and climate came together in a specific way and took on a different meaning because we were kind of forced to face reality, because our planet is in danger, but also our human existence is threatened by our greed and neglect of the natural world. I think that there is a very accurate observation, because there is another truth and value that is slowly shaping our society today - this is the awareness and moral responsibility for our planet.
Links:
‘Moral climate’ has a new meaning (irishtimes.com)
https://ukcop26.org/
TY group handmade books. Photo Longina Wentrys
For some time now, I have had this dilemma in my head, and I feel responsible for what is happening, what is around me, and what I am doing, what I am doing to improve my habits so as not to contribute to further degradation of the natural environment.
TY group handmade books. Photo Longina Wentrys
And here I found a connection with teaching, because it is much easier to build good habits when they are still young. So, art can serve as a very good platform to inspire young minds and show them the paths to care for the planet. I know it sounds lofty, but this is a huge topic, and I've noticed that sometimes people say 'I won't be able to change anything by myself' and don't do anything about it. While I think, it is enough to do something small in that direction, taking small steps. I came up with a bookbinding project for TY group (hand-making a personal diary/scrapbook). Project that uses recycled paper only – and, on this occasion (cross curriculum) broadens the knowledge and awareness of students about the production, use and disposal of paper. At least, that's something!
Part of the project for TYs was going to an 'environmental walk' to a nearby park and bringing something natural to the classroom, leaves, cones, or twigs. The pupils' task was to use it in any way - for example, monoprint or to use the stick for ink drawing.
See the photos:
Sustainable Scrapbooks of the TY students:
Self-evaluation questions and some student responses:
There are many resource sites where I can find reliable information on global warming, population, devastation of forests, pollution, litter, animal and plant world, endangered species.
For use in planning my art lessons.
Links:
The Nature Summit - Free Online Summit. May 11-17
WWF Footprint Calculator (The Questionnaire)
Link to the website of Sir David Attenborough's organization, whose speech I talked about in TYs lesson.
Sir David Attenborough - World Land Trust
I came across an interesting website dealing with ecoliteracy in a very complex way.
Ecological Education | ecoliteracy.org
The Center for Ecoliteracy advances the teaching and modelling of sustainable practices in primary and secondary schools (in America, California). An interesting site that supports healthy, sustainable school communities and food systems change in schools. They leads systems change initiatives, publishes original books and resources, facilitates conferences and professional development, and provides strategic consulting.
I like their vision, quoting:
MISSION
We are dedicated to cultivating education for the sustainability of people and the planet.
VISION
We envision a world where all students experience and understand how nature sustains life and are inspired to live in ways that benefit people and the environment. All schools can do this by committing to cultivating ecological literacy through transformational experiences in the cafeteria, classroom, and garden that educate students about the food system and its connection to the environment.
They have lessons and articles to download - to further ecological teaching and learning (a screenshot).
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November 2021
Today I got a book that my friend and her son showed me. The author Dara McAnulty in his book shows his deep relationship with nature. He explores the environment around him through: looking out the window, going to the garden, walking in the woods, exploring the moors and walking along the river bank. A fantastic book, beautifully illustrated by Barry Falls. I immediately felt that I wanted to read it. I felt connected with the idea of wayfaring and AAE (Arts-based Environmental Education).
In his book, Dara tells readers about each habitat and provides with fantastic facts about the native birds, animals, and plants he found during his walks. The author is a careful observer. It is an excellent guide on how to walk and what to look for when walking so that we don't miss anything.
Dara McAnulty is a teenage writer, naturalist and conservationist from Northern Ireland. He is an environmental activist and has worked with Chris Packham, the Royal Society Protection of Birds, the National Trust, and the Wildlife Trusts. He is an ambassador of the RSPCA and Jane Goodall Institute. He is an autistic teenager who has described his struggles on his blog and website, describing how his relationship and contact with nature has helped him overcome many of the obstacles and limitations associated with autism. After writing his blog Naturalist Dara for over three years, he published his debut book, Diary of a Young Naturalist, for which he received many awards; he is the youngest ever winner of the RSPB Medal and received the Wainwright Prize for UK nature writing in 2020. He is also the youngest author to be long-listed for the 2020 Baillie Gifford Prize for non-fiction and the winner of the 2020 Books Are My Bag Readers' Awards in the non-fiction category. Other awards include: An Post Irish Book Award for Newcomer of the Year 2020 and the Waterstones Book of the Year 2020 nomination.
His website:
Dara McAnulty - Author, Naturalist and Conservationist
If I decide to take my class on a trip to the park, this book will help me prepare for how to plan such a lesson in order to indicate what is interesting and worth noticing, what can be seen in our environment. It can teach students to be generally mindful and aware and (cross-curriculum) this is closely related to the subject of biology, and the natural environment. I just need to find out at what level of Junior Cycle biology it is - to fit it to the age of the pupils.
Quote from the book:
‘I am often asked if writing as an act can “Help Save Nature”. I think it builds a bridge of reconnection, of new joy and wonder. I don’t have any expectations though. I’ll let you be the judge of that, and if it sets seed in you, a different appreciation of the living world, then I’ll be happy.’
Environmental artists are beginning to appreciate his specific relationship to the natural surroundings. He becomes an inspiration for children, adolescents and adults.
The Irish Times has been writing a lot about him, here are 3 articles from the last few months.
Dara McAnulty: Nature can heal the heart during the bleakest of times (irishtimes.com)
