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Students at Work
Final Work with Artist Staments
Student 1 - Kay
I chose the Great Barrier Reef because when I was growing up dad kept corals, and would often talk about the GBR dying. Corals and reefs are somewhat nostalgic to me for this reason. I destroyed my artwork by bleaching it. it was fun to see how quickly the bleach acted, and it left a really interesting effect to what color was left behind. However, it was also a reminder of what we are losing.
I chose to destroy the present version of my piece because that is what we are currently losing. The past is persevered in my memory and the future piece remains as a warning.
Two of the biggest issues facing coral reefs are changes to water and sediment levels resulting in the burial of reefs and coral bleaching caused by increased heat and sunlight. I represented that in my past, present, and future pieces by decreasing the complexity and number of unique layers over time, as water levels rise and the reef itself is buried. I also used bright colors in my past pieces, but those colors faded in the present piece and were completely absent from my future piece. I also destroyed the present piece with bleach to further demonstrate my point.
Student 2 - Isabel
For my piece, I chose Mexico, a tropical climate. I chose Mexico because half of my family is from there and, though I've never been, I feel a connection. Also, who doesn't love warm weather?
Destroying my artwork was fun, however, to think about all those homes and people who would've been impacted is disheartening. I chose to destroy my past piece because that part of Mexico can never be retrieved again.
This relates to climate change because of the increase of natural disasters and all the impacts of climate change is changing Mexico (well everywhere) through its climate but also through the culture and people. My alterations were an attempt to represent the changes that have and will happen if climate change and global warming isn't fixed/addressed. I can't say my view on Mexico or tropical climates has changed now that I have done more research, but maybe the urgency of making a change.
Student 3 - Claire
I chose subtropical climate because I was born in Taiwan, an island that is covered under subtropical climate.
When I destroyed my piece, I actually felt that the real nature was much more durable than the cardboard that I created. I tried to simulate Typhoon effects on my cardboard piece (past) and it became fragile right away. However, my island has been through so many typhoons in the past but never died until the man-made influences intruded. The forests reduced and the climate changes made many animals and fish extinct.
When I manipulated the three pieces, I considered how many lands and species that we had and have on the island. Therefore, the past island in the past is supposed to be larger and with more mountains. Because of climate change, the future land of Taiwan may sadly become smaller and the species will be reduced.
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