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"We are bred from birth to be consumers (…) we never establish a relationship with some larger context of meaning and purpose"
The legacy we leave to future generations is not very flourishing. We excelled in independence and abondant consumption of Earth ressources without taking the time to think of the consequences. Today, the report is difficult and worrisome. How can we still touch people and restore consciousness? "The modern artist must become actively involved in the task of restoring an ecological consciousness to the age" Colin Wilson An artist takes time to look around, analyse, explore, observe the world around him to create a painting, design furniture, catch the right picture. He is the one who can see the world how it really is and transmit an emotion, a message, a meaning. Can artists help us reconnect with Nature? "Art can help us to recollect our belongings to something precious and worth of protection?" People learned greatness through independence, individuality and freedom. They deserved it and enjoyed it. Now it's time to regroup, to think together, to share ideas in a common objective, be aware about ecological issues and contribute to find a way to solve them. Through their knowledge, their eyes and their consciousness, artists can take the responsibility to spread right messages. They can help emerging new sensibility in a positive way through mindful artwork. They can create a new kind of art, that would make people aware of their responsibilities and prompt them to take action. It takes a village , but through sustainable art, we can show evidence, spread messages, touch people, inspire solutions. We can create a connection, a relationship between people, kids and adults, to a common goal, a common future. In my opinion, sustainable art would be the greatest and strongest action to increase awareness to live with care. We can change the environmental perspective of the our communities, locally then globally. To re-learn what the simple beauty really is, would be a good start, wouldn't it?
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In this article “The sustainable Art Studio: Finding the Voice of Art in Education for Sustainable Development. Green Teacher, 116, p. 12-15”, Ivan Asin, shares his experience and describes how he overcame the obstacles, developing a sustainable art studio in different settings, with different people and with limited funds and resources.
What an inspiring idea to educate students to create more sustainable visual art inspired by social and ecological issues that the world is facing today? While people are more connected to each other in the city than in the country side, they also are disconnected from nature. By creating collaborative work, finding solutions together, we are able to bring change and increase awareness about the environment. I live in a green city, by the forest and in the middle of the mountains. Finding natural resources is not the problem, but growing interest into sustainable lifestyle and art is more difficult. Through my work with recycled materials, I share my knowledge and show people how to see things differently, and with time, they finally develop interest. I share Ivan Asin’s vision that even though it is a lot of work to make simple changes and see results, it is still worth it. Educating our community and children today will help future generations evolve towards a more sustainable world. But is teaching new values to children through creative activities the only way? Do we have to review the principles of the education? In this very interesting article "What is education for?” by David Orr, the author reviews the foundations of the modern education, and offers new principles to set up in our educative system. Statistics and the observation of the state of a dying planet is striking. Is it too late to react? Something is missing in our modern education. Too more theories to the detriment of more practice and meaningful activities, and understanding about our future. It looks like the new principles that the author proposes are simple, natural and do-able. For me the question is always the same, we have the solutions, but how to make people and administration change without showing the example? As a newborn in the sustainability lifestyle and emergent teacher, this article just “shook” me and inspired me at the same time. As a mom of 3, I am very motivated to continue teaching new values to my kids, as an artist, I feel even more and more involved in sharing sustainable creativity to open minds and consciousness to compensate the lack of ecological education in our school. I also believe that changes are coming, habits are improving, people are ready to live better (changing their diet, doing exercises), and live with care, (starting recycling and upcycling – like a new popular way of life, “ une mode”) , even if it’s not enough yet, I am positive, hopeful and I am very proud to contribute. |
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