Policy Perspective: An Environmental Intern’s Experience with EcoVP
Many don’t consider the impact that art can have on an individual’s thoughts, opinions, and even value systems. As a young woman with an emphasized environmental value system, I was never intrigued with the creative side of environmental advocacy. I thought it to be more a reflection of society than a concrete way to solve the issues at hand. That was part of the reason I applied to do this internship— because I didn’t have prior experience in the field. As an environmental policy major, I was feeling very uninspired to continue fighting for environmentalism when big corporations and governments remained unmoved in their policy-making practices and regulations.
The EcoVoice Festival shifted that mindset for me. While it appeared to be a simple project on the surface, the festival touched me in ways that I wasn’t previously exposed to. The political reality that my work typically existed in was cracked. Throughout the festival, it amazed me how much impact a piece of art or music could have on, even someone like me, who has extensive knowledge of ecological systems. During the Friday event, the presentation of indigenous poems and songs caused me to feel heartache and reignited a passion for environmental justice. On Saturday, the Mass of the Endangered stole the show. Emotional chords and a stunning, intricate graphic of the interconnectedness of nature helped ground me. It reminded me that in being an environmentalist, I am not only for fighting for the Earth but myself as well. Even on Sunday during the Eco-Sing Along, when Louise Kelly went around in the circle and validated everyone’s feelings before her songs, there was an intrinsic comfort at that moment. That intrinsic comfort is something I believe we also feel while being in nature.
Saturday Concert for New Mass of the Endangered
Of course, there were some logistical hurdles like the apprehension to digital programs or lower participation rates than we expected. However, the conversations and connections I made with other individuals, both in the environmental field and not, I will carry with me long past this internship is completed. There’s something unique about being able to experience the intersectionality of environmental advocacy at a young age and it’s something I want to center in my future professional and personal involvements. Kirsten and Thomas have helped reignite my spark, and I hope to continue attending and supporting the EcoVoice Project well into the future.
Our EcoVoice Project Festival Team (Left to Right: Rowan Obach, Kirsten Hedegaard, Thomas Aláan, Ashley Chavez)
“I can’t make them see what I see, but I see it”
For my third interview I had the great opportunity of meeting with Sandra Kaufmann, a brilliant and inspiring artist, professional dancer/choreographer, and educator. She challenged me to rethink what I believed to be true of the performing arts and how dancing in particular can play a key role in simplifying the seemingly most difficult subjects to achieve accessible learning for everyone.
Starting as a student teacher, she created a physical activity lesson to teach the menstrual cycle for a health education course to students with a wide range of intelligence. However, one of these students came to her and emotionally exclaimed that this had been the first lesson she had attended in which she had been able to understand everything. This experience along with serving as a lead arts-based curriculum developer for the Empire State Partnership a statewide education initiative in New York were both formative influences that enthralled her into scientific literacy theory.
Inspired by John Dewey and Benjamin Bloom with their philosophies of “Learn by doing”, and Bloom’s three domains of learning (cognitive, affective, and psychomotor) she strongly believes that dance is an activity that engages all three domains at once which makes it one of the best ways to teach. This is why she uses it to explain scientific literacy, whether it's about biology, cellular systems, or subatomic-super string theory. She is creating a space for people to feel a connection and rhythmic pull from the universe to bolster a better understanding of it.
Although she has worked on many pieces/projects, here in Chicago as well as internationally, she still feels that there is so much left to do. And will continue to reach as many as she can through her artform, invoking environmental thought/connections to create positive change.
Have artists found creative ways of mending immediate environment challenges in Chicago?
For my second interview I virtually met with fellow Chicagoan and gifted mosaic muralist Jim Bachor. Who found a creative way to “juxtapose a universal hate with subject matter that everyone pretty much loves”. He not only creates beautiful/witty mosaics but also uses his art to repair potholes in regular under-maintained streets. Some of these wonderful pieces of pothole art can be seen in Chicago, as well as in many other cities around the country as well as internationally. The first of which he decided to create out of pure necessity. A pothole in front of his house just would not stay fixed, so he set out in the middle of the night. Hidden by the darkness, he put his art to the test in hopes that he could create a definite solution to this nuisance. Never had he imagined this niche of art would explode and go well beyond his initial intent of fixing a pothole and creating some traction for his line art.
From a life of graphic design to a full-time job of creating mosaics out of his studio. He has worked hard to make a name for himself so that he might “Leave a mark” on this world. Through his passion for mosaic making, with the ancient technique, he learned and holds to, from Ravenna, Italy. He only works with beautifully vibrant small tea glass, marble, and mortar/concrete. He has meticulously created mosaics of animals, flowers, junk food, grocery items, and some political art pieces.
His art as he describes it is like a little microphone. Whether he's there or not the art remains and it's given him an unexpected voice. One that alone may not gain any traction but given public support could create real change. Just as it did for his mosaic career allowing him to venture out internationally and reach all kinds of people. He has left a piece of his character around the world for us to smile or take a second longer to take in the environment around us.
The Arts for Environmental Thought: An Interns Perspective of EcoVP
Saturday Soundwalk by Paige Naylor
It’s a couple of weeks after the EcoVoice Project Festival, and thinking back on the events and behind-the-scenes preparations I realize something new every time. As an intern, I assisted in launching the festival and experienced the festivities first-hand. I have always had an appreciation for the arts and environment, but this was the first time I had ever attended events where the Arts were being utilized for environmental activism.
From film screenings, and soundscapes, to full-blown concerts, each event had its charm. And while this is essentially a “new” form of activism to most, a majority of the attendees seemed to be able to relate or be moved by the work just like I was. And this feeling carried throughout the crowd over the entire weekend, regardless of age, educational level, or cultural background.
“Our EcoVoices” by Louise Kelly
As I looked into the crowd each day, I watched families and couples lean on each other, taking in and enjoying the music. And I had a constant feeling of appreciation for my mentors (Thomas Allán & Kirsten Hedegaard) and what they were trying to accomplish. Of course, there are many advocates for the environment who understand that there is a dire need for conservative and restorative solutions. But, in this setting, I saw a great willingness of people to listen, and be educated, as they were immersed in an experience created by a group of distinguished artists and environmental experts. Whether they completely understood every topic of climate change or not, I saw how moved they were by the speakers and performances. I noticed people discussing and asking questions after each event. And as an engineering student, I have attended many lectures and seminars where the problem-solving strategies and supporting science are often brilliant and make a lot of sense. However, during those events, I rarely felt the need to understand and feel for the problem addressed or who the strategy would impact. There are so many cause-and-effect relationships to consider, which is an overall basis for why climate change is such a complex issue to solve. And while seminars and lectures may seem efficient as they are, they don’t quite encourage the interactive response the festival received. This makes me wonder how much more support or attention there would be for environmental advocacy in these spaces if the Arts were included.
After extensive exposure through preliminary research, readings, interviews, etc. I feel that I finally understand the power this kind of work has, which is to revive an appreciation that we are all lacking. An appreciation for the environment that we all have to remember to pick up again if there will ever be any change. And while my mentors are engaging in this space through music, their collaborative approach shows recognition for the many possibilities of engaging thought and environmental action with the arts. So that others might feel curious enough to explore these opportunities further. I know that I will, and I can’t wait for the creative future this movement will bring.
EcoVP in the Eyes of the Interns
The EcoVoice Project festival was just as new to Rowan, and I, as it was to everyone who attended. Taking in the beautiful performances, gorgeous locales, and thought-provoking activities, we were inspired to renew our love for nature and local environments. Our individual experiences were slightly different but we both agree that while the festivities were memorable we also regained a new outlook on environmental advocacy and how it can be accomplished. And while not perfect this approach to environmentalism was proven successful by how many individuals were interested in continuing the conversation.
Engaging in these events not only helped us regain our hopes of protecting the environment but also allowed us to have conversations and connections with individuals in environmental fields as well those in other fields which we will continue and hold for years to come. These experiences will help us grow both personally and professionally, as we make our own strides to advocate for the environment.
There is still so much more to do, and much to learn, but we believe that with the help of movements like this one more people will begin to see the importance of environmentalism and act on climate change issues.
The EcoArts
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