Eight pages in my sketchbook are now filled with these scribbles and slightly wobbly lines of writing. I've been researching different topics in ecology and psychology this week and am SO EXCITED about these ideas and connections and all the possibilities for art. I've always started projects with a broad topic and collected information, history, and experiences before composing images. Here I go again!
This particular rabbit hole is how human psychological trauma is similar to ecological collapse. The earth and the way humans are treating it is a very important current issue and I'm excited to relate it to the trauma work I've been exploring and processing already. The goal with research this week is to learn more about ecology, discover the similarities and differences between the two, how art can represent these connections, and eventually, how this art can benefit the world.
"High Art" as well as any art in general is all about connection; connecting people, ideas, experiences, and calling attention to these connections. When you create something for a friend you are showing your love, connecting your experiences with the art, and drawing attention to what your art is about. (Ex. You're friend's favorite animal is a platypus). When you see art in a Gallery or Museum those connections are amplified, the message, the experience of viewing it, your personal experiences within the context of the work, all make it impactful and meaningful art. Making a visual connection between trauma and collapse will be stunningly beautiful and will help direct attention to our earth's growing uncertainty.
The similarities:
Trauma happens when an individual is overwhelmed by a distressing event and isn't able to cope or properly handle their emotions. Emotions influence our depth of information processing and when an individual is overwhelmed these processes don't function properly and cause a host of psychological and physiological problems making it impossible to return to the same base line state as before.
When an ecosystem is overwhelmed by a disturbance it's natural regulation factors are unable to return the system to it's previous base line state. These regulating factors can tolerate disturbances within a certain range and we see this in the form of new growth after fires, floods, and other natural disasters (The forest ecosystem remains a forest ecosystem). When a system is overwhelmed past it's resiliency, it will develop new processes and structures (a new base line) often with degraded conditions (The forest has become barren grassland and many species are extinct).
Climate change is the most threatening symptom of the degrading biodiversity (the existence of many species) of earth. As humans continue to change the earth in every way we are facing the next mass extinction of animals which is a MAJOR disturbance to ecosystems. These changing ecosystems directly effect the ecological hierarchy (Organism < population < community < ecosystem < biome < biosphere) all the way up to climate patterns and the atmosphere. The danger is that if humans and the earth continue on this route of negative changes, the baseline habitable state of earth will change enough that humans can no longer survive.
As more attention is being brought to climate change, more people are beginning to realize that human health as a robust function; an approach towards optimal conditions, is mirrored by and permanently linked with ecological health. Conservationists are working to bring the public's attention to the fact that a lack of biodiversity is a human health concern. It's usually the poorest who live in these degraded environments plagued by pollution and lack of biodiversity and it's already been seen that restoring ecological environments in low-socioeconomic areas has increased health benefits. Everyone in Montana knows how important connecting with nature is for the mind, body, and soul. It's the same for those in poverty or of any socioeconomic class anywhere in the world. Humans need nature.
Not only is this a human problem, it's a human experience that many of us know extremely well. Our systems are overwhelmed and often return to a normal baseline relatively quickly and easily but if the disturbance is too great, we are no longer the same. We can be healed with therapy, social support systems, and a safe and healing environment just as our environment can be healed by consistent and diligent care and preventative measures.
This correlation is so powerful to me.
Next steps:
The next stage of my research will involve researching other artists who are currently working in this field of ecology art and activism, learning and taking inspiration from them, and experimenting with different image combinations in my sketchbook. I'm so looking forward to the visual exploration on this journey and I'm excited to share it with you guys along the way!
Cheers to meaningful art, new beginnings, growth, and mother nature herself!