Bioneers 2008

Art Installation by the Eco Art Matters class at Bioneers, 2008

Watersite, a gathering place

Wishing well made from a discarded satellite dish

Oakland Occupy 2011

Impromptu field trips may occur over the semester all depending on what's happening in the world. 

The Fall 2011 Eco Art Matters class was asked to go to the General Strike on November 2nd and to write why they were either for or against Occupy Oakland and to watch several forms of coverage on the strike.  Below is one students thoughts, which is beautifully written.  


 "In my opinion the Movement is a big step in the right direction.

It might not have its goals specifically defined yet, but its very existence is letting everyone know that the time has come for the majority of people to take their lives and life in general back into their hands.

         Currently the beginnings of the Occupy Movement remind me of starting a creative piece of work – one usually begins to brainstorm by writing down any idea that comes to mind; one might also take a piece of charcoal and loosely put down an overall sketch that will later provide the basis for a composed and detailed drawing. Similarly, this Movement is starting by generating ideas; it’s trying to stay free of established mindsets; it feels organic; it feels logical, healthy, honest, necessary, and if not a bit late – definitely timely. 

         With all that’s wrong with our society, economy, environment, this movement tries to be all-inclusive. Everyone can feel a part of it and present their agenda. This should serve richly as the basis for specific proposals, strategies, and the forming of a public face.

         Whether or not people agree with the Movement, it brings out the same issues everyone within the 99% is familiar with – social and economical inequality among other things.

         I support the people’s Occupy Movement because I don’t see any other way change could happen. Sacrifices are made on behalf of the big bank and the corporation every day. Sacrifices will now have to be made on behalf of the remaining 99%.

         It was an incredible experience at the Oakland strike on Nov 2^nd. There were a wide variety of people of different professions and orientations – teachers, priests, business people, artists. There were many same sex couples. Students spoke about being in debt. I spent some time talking with the folks at the National Labor Federation booth. I was interested in how they help people deal with abuse committed by PG&E (smart meters are one of my big health concerns, and our neighborhood has had no say about them whatsoever). Overall, the feeling of solidarity and understanding among all participants was beautiful.

         KPFA supports the Movement; the station followed the strike by broadcasting live a 5 hour meeting of Occupy supporters and the Oakland City Council on Thursday. 141 Oakland residents spoke; many came up with specific strategies for the movement; many were concerned about the state of Oakland schools and the number of foreclosed homes in the area.

         FOX News compared Occupy protesters to hippies and Nazis. It also reported on a speech by Rudy Giuliani in which he stated that the Movement is president Obama’s fault and the result of his class warfare.  

         Rachel MADDOW seemed to be trying for more balanced observations and evaluations; it is very clear from her approach that she is a supporter. She said that the demonstrations have ‘altered the political discourse of the U.S.’ mainly because politicians and banks just cannot help but be aware and acknowledge the 99%.

         Today CNN provided some very positive descriptions and stories from protests in different cities around the country. It sympathized with the 1,500 senior citizens who in Chicago hit the streets to protest the cutting of social programs. CNN called the Occupy movement ‘a call to action against unequal distribution of wealth”."

- Martina Ladova, Former Eco Art Matters Student

Bioneers Conference 2011

Bioneers is the largest, annual environmental conference in the USA. It’s like TED talks, except with a hope filled focus on how to take care of the earth. The three day conference happens every October in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The one session that I connected with took place in a small tent, that seated a couple hundred people. Everyone was barefoot and sitting on the ground. We held a council and shared our knowledge on how we have experienced the divine feminine and the divine masculine.

To me the divine feminine isn’t a goddess. Instead it’s a balance of traits that I‘m searching for, the ones that will make me most effective and content in life. Women are known for being nurturing, but they are also fiercely protect their loved ones. Within myself, I want to be a whole person, both a cook and a bread winner. Then if it happens, find a man who is also actualized and together we’ll be like iron sharpening iron.

Just as women have natural strengths, men do to. I think of the divine masculine as a benchmark for the men I look to date. Are they gentle? Do they know when and how to protect? Are they humble? Are they compassionate? Do they guard their health as being the most important, for how else can you serve without life?

We talked about the imbalance of masculine versus feminine power and how men and women need to treat each other as equals. The session was co-facilitated by a man who looked like my late grate-grandfather, Popsi. He said it was up to the men to honor and respect the women by giving us space to do what we do best: taking things deeper, being creative, forming communities, sharing feelings…

Hearing from this Popsi look-alike that ladies should be praised and valued as essential, was edifying. I felt important. I felt vital. Being apart of this circle meeting gave me the further conviction to better myself, to find that balance of traits within.

We carpooled up to Marin county, that's just north of San Francisco for the Bioneers Conference.

We helped man the WEAD booth, which is the Women Environmental Artists Directory.

Over the three day weekend, the morning sessions were held in the main auditorium, where we heard from top environmentalists, scientists and activists.

Besides having a vendors tent of organic/fair trade/eco-friendly products, there was an art exhibit by the artist-in-residence from Recology.

If you are interested in going next year to the Bioneers Conference in October, be sure to check out the scholarships. They offer them for youth, full time college students, seniors and activists. They also have a scholarship for teachers who use the Bioneers DVDs as part of their curriculum.

One of my favorite presentations at the conference was by Paul Stamets. He talked about how mushrooms can save the world. Also check out Stamets presentation on TED.

-Article by installation artist and former student of the Eco Art Matters Class, Elizabeth Symington.

350.org

Depending on what's happening in the community during the semester, the class might participate in marches that relate to environment and/or social justice. One year we marched with 350.org, a non-profit that educates about the elevated levels of carbon dioxide that's in the air and how that effects everyone worldwide. 

"And what does this 350 number even mean?

350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide—measured in "Parts Per Million" in our atmosphere. 350 PPM—it's the number humanity needs to get back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change."
-350.org's official website

Past Field Trips

Becoming informed and involved in the community is one goal for this Eco Art class. One way of showing students what is happening in their community is by taking them on several field trips during the semester.

Sample list of past field trips:
Bioneers' Conference
(You can watch some of the Bioneers' plenary speakers on youtube, like Lily Yeh.)
Academy of Science
Recology, Artist in Residence Program
Big Daddy's Garden with Vickie Jo Sowell






Sandy Drobny, Caution, 2004
caution tape, rubber intertube, leather, ribbon, webbing, yarn
Artist in Residence at Recology