Two words can be put together in many forms to define what we, and therefore this blog, strive to
accomplish.
Those Two words - Art
and Conservation
Art
“The expression or application of
human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as
painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty
or emotional power.“
Conservation
“The action of
conserving something, in particular: (1) Preservation, protection,
or restoration of the natural environment, natural ecosystems,
vegetation and wildlife. (2) Preservation, repair, and prevention of
deterioration of archaeological, historical, and cultural sites and artifacts.”
These two words, often seen as different and therefore separate, are not that different after all. Art is one of
many ways in which we conserve our humanity, express our culture for
future generations or for cultures outside of our own. Literature,
religion, history - all other forms; none more diverse in this
preservation and expression than visual art. For this, throughout
history, storied in literature, symbolic in religion - art is prized.
But, what if we dive deeper... and dare to not stop there...
Grab a cup of coffee, a southern sweet tea, a cold glass of water - and settle in...
What if we open ourselves up to expanding our knowledge and
break the definitions of these two words down even further...
Within conservation:
An ecosystem includes vegetation
and wildlife, as it is defined as
“a biological
community of interacting organisms and their physical environment“
While an artifact is
“An object made
by a human being, typically an item of cultural or historical interest.“
To further define conservation:
Culture may be
defined as
“The customs, arts,
social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people,
or other social group”
Institution
carries one meaning of
“something or someone firmly associated
with a place or thing”
…and “the society, culture,
and way of life of a particular area.”
is known as a civilization.
So why should anyone care about a long string of definitions? Where does this all lead us?
Right back to those same two words - Art and Conservation
Painting, drawing, pottery, photography, sculpture, batik, music, dance -
all artistic cultural expressions. And in these expressions lie beauty.
Cultures
have expressed themselves for thousands of years through art, and the
earliest cultures - often referred to as civilizations - have been
defined as inhabitants of a given area, and
those things firmly associated with that area. Historically, “those
things”
around which those civilizations formed were natural - a volcano,
mountain,
river, lake, valley, forest, wildlife migration - an ecosystem.
Those
civilizations were drawn to these areas for many reasons. Potentially a source
of nourishment, or spiritual significance, maybe shelter…possibly…beauty. And
with these places, they lived in harmony and balance.
With that in
mind…
Is
the Creator of the natural world not the most visionary, most prolific,
most lasting, grandest, and therefore, greatest artist of all, sharing with us both
beauty and evoking emotion through all of our conscious and unconscious senses!? Are these wonders of
nature not institutions of cultural significance!? Should these not be preserved
and protected as we preserve and protect certain pieces of art and certain parts of our natural environment!?
The Mona Lisa
The Grand Canyon
The Sistine
Chapel
The Redwoods
The Louvre
Yellowstone
National Park
The Vatican
The National Parks System
Your son's or daughter's, niece's or nephew's, grandchild's or students' first experience with a crayon or marker that you so
proudly display at work, or on your refrigerator, maybe in your car, or
carry in your purse or wallet
The simple beauty of the natural world found in your own
back yard
All forms of art,
great and small, here and afar.
Worthy of Conservation.
Those two words – Art and Conservation
Art
Conservation
Art Conservation
Conservation Art
...what we, and this blog, strive to accomplish.
Conservation Art
The visual expression of beauty or emotion to promote the preservation, protection,
restoration, repair and prevention of deterioration of the natural environment,
ecosystems and natural institutions of culture.
