Chapter 8 Conservation theme

The concept of conservation seems to have evolved from its definition in the 1950's of preserving, restoring and protecting. It now includes supervision, educating and involving the population in the 'duty of care' for the planet and their own individual communities and at the same time improvement in their own health from being outdoors.  How these themes are evolving into policy can be seen,October 2014,  Act for Nature.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/joinandhelp/campaignwithus/act-for-nature/index.aspx

Reading and research some background to thoughts that would help me decide on a theme for my resolved sample led me to recall two inspiring people who originally  gave me tangible evidence of what had/could be done to appreciate the environment ...Theodore Roosevelt, the 36th President of the United States of America has these words carved in the magnificent lobby of the Natural History Museum in New York;
Nature
There is a delight in the hardy life of the open.
There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness, that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy and its charm.
The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired in value
Conservation means development as much as it does protection.
and a Scotsman John Muir who would influence Roosevelt in the establishment of the National Parks of America.  While Muir notes 'Not blind opposition to progress, but opposition to blind progress ' his part in establishing the Sierra Club would sow the seeds of the green movement.http://www.sierraclub.org/

Living in the Cairngorms National Park I am aware of The John Muir Trusts key objectives to discover, explore, conserve and share with the addition objectives of the Outdoor Access Trust for showing care, respect and responsibility for the land we live in.  While these key words may not have the high profile and headline concerns of what is endangering our planet the attraction of these objectives is in the fact that you can play an active and positive part in understanding the issues of a particular area. The John Muir Trust Award asks you to Discover a wild place and actively explore and research that place.  This research should then inform you as to what needs attention and  how you can share that with others with a maxim of; ' take only photos leave only footprints'.

So those key words have been added to my workboard. Musing on environmental songs on the 60's and  70's also stimulated thoughts for the exercise in visualising words: bend, calm, choppy, combined, crushed, currents, evolve, enclosed, fast, gentle, meander, quiet, slow, straight, swirling, tumbling, restful, ripple, rhythmical, undulating, violent, vortex.  The italics indicate words from Sian's collection the rest I have added from aspects of previous samples and the words selected for Chapter 3.

Ref 6.8.1a

Ref 6.8.1b

 The first exercise, to cut shapes inspired by the words, the first simple shape developed into four samples as I suddenly realised I wanted to consider the possibility of dimension as well as positive negative images.

 Ref 6.8.1.ci

Ref 6.8.1.cii

The spiral fall out in 1c.ii obviously inspired the next design!

Ref 6.8.2a

Ref 6.8.2b

 Meanders started to appear and also began to realise that shapes in water are often replicated in cloud patterns.  The shading that one sees in a mackerel sky has a certain wave like quality to it... the sample 2b not only helps to consider a side view but helps to consider how shading could also deepen the effect

For sample 3 I tried to convey,'choppy' and the side angle and the 3D  'model' hopefully show how fabric could be manipulated to show that!

Ref 6.8.3c

Ref 6.8.3b

Ref 6.8.3a

Ref 6.8.4a

Ref 6.8.4b

Sample 4 looks at the idea of choppy surface quieter undertow! and came from a sample done in an earlier chapter

Sample 5 takes the idea a step further and looks at cross currents, on river banks and sea shores these currents and the flow of the water are responsible for erosion and deposits
   

Ref 6.8.5

Sample 6 looks at the 'prints' that water leaves on sand and soil after it has flowed over it. A host of other prints of what is left beside water could be explored...

Ref 6.8.6

Sample 7 gives a more reflective glimpse that brings sea and sky together. 

Ref 6.8.7

As I move through visualising these words with black paper my mind can't help but review ideas for the resolved sample.  While my mind is still swithering on a final theme I have been collection objects and looking at details in photos to help inspire me and focus what papers I produce for Chapter 9. I have also been collecting ideas related to literature and folk lore regarding sky and water e.g. Selkie, the legend of a seal turning to a man.

While our sample is not to be a pictorial record of the place we chose it seems important that the design reflects in some sense the soul or sense of place.  As well as the importance of sight and the images all other senses play a part, touch- rough, smooth, spiky, rounded; sound - peaceful, windy, birdsong, animal sounds; smell - freshness, vegetation.
A glimpse at my dilemma?...In earlier Chapters my consideration veered towards the Caledonian Canal and the environmental sensitive sites along it and the fact that much emphasis has gone into encouraging people to use it for a host of activities. However I felt that I wanted to visit the chosen site more frequently to get a more complete understanding and as the Caledonian Canal is a three hour drive away a specific site within Glen Nochty, which is 2 miles from my house, seemed more appropriate. In addition my carbon footprint would be much healthier!! 
In the introduction to the Module we are asked to consider 'where else you might display this resolved sample' ?   My thoughts were that it could be a centre piece for a local exhibit which again would be easier to achieve and relevant to the area.  I am currently producing work looking at  'pathways'  and this could sit well beside the resolved sample.  I am considering undertaking the John Muir Trust Award Challenge so this could also provide a series of relevant locations outwith the local area and further afield in the John Muir local offices.