RESEARCHING THE EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON NATURAL DISASTERS

Climate change; natural disasters

I am interested in how climate change is intensifying the natural forces of nature that can fuel storm surges, droughts, fires, and land erosion/collapse, and the affect that has upon human experience. Growing up as a Native American (of the Lakota and Ojibwe Nations) in the wilderness of Alaska, I understand the intrinsic connections between Native Ways of Knowing and how our origin stories can ground us in place. I understand how connection to place influences our human experience. 

My work will be interpretive, inspired by a direct, personal response to a site or sites. I never start a project assuming an outcome. I find my direction from the site itself and through the re-experiencing of the fieldwork in the studio. My process begins by first visiting the environment to conduct fieldwork, collect material samples, collect documentation of the site, and spend time in that environment. To identify markers, features, and event that trigger a personal response.

The actual artwork will be determined and developed after a site has or sites have been determined in consultation with JRC experts. 

The work will be interpretive, inspired by a direct, personal response to a site or sites. I never start a project assuming an outcome. I find my direction from the site itself and through the re-experiencing of the fieldwork in the studio. 

See Appendix A for examples of previous artwork created using similar research methodology. 

Proposed materials might include, but are not limited to:

• Resin coated paper
• Shellac ink
• Soils or earth matter collected from local sites 
• Lead sheet 
• Fiberglass resin
• Sonic sampling 
• Video sampling

To research how climate change affects natural disasters. 

To create an artwork based upon the increasing affects of climate change on natural disasters. I am interested in how climate change is intensifying the natural forces of nature that can fuel storm surges, droughts, fires, and land erosion/collapse, and the affect that has upon human experience. 

I would like to connect with soil scientists and water scientists, specifically those that have working knowledge of the land in Antarctica, Arctic and Alps regions and to visit at least one of these sites for documentation.

PROCESS 

Growing up as a Native American (of the Lakota and Ojibwe Nations) in the wilderness of Alaska, I understand the intrinsic connections between Native Ways of Knowing and how our origin stories can ground us in place. I understand how connection to place influences our human experience. 

In consultation with experts at the JRC in Ispra, I would like to work with earth and water scientists to help guide me towards fragile environments where natural disaster events are occurring at alarming rates, specifically the Antarctic, Arctic, and Alps regions. 

This research will provide a roadmap for me to visit actual sites to influence my work—to directly experience these environments and conditions firsthand—to find a personal connection. 

My process begins by first visiting the environment to conduct fieldwork, collect material samples, collect documentation of the site, and spend time in that environment. To identify markers, features, and event that trigger a personal response. 

During the fieldwork, it’s important to work with local experts that can allow for an opportunity to share and learn from each other. This collaboration can provide the opportunity to learn about the local stories connected with the land, to further amplify the experience of place and help guide the process. 

The collected source materials will be shipped back to my New York studio they will be re- experienced and developed into a final work. The fieldwork documentation, together with the source materials, provide the framework for creating the final artwork. 

FIELDWORK 

I am interested in researching environments that appear untouched by human intervention. Similarly, I am interested in looking at industrial sites to get a sense of how humans have intervened with the local environment. 

• Fieldwork will be conducted for the following: 
• Get to know the place, spend time immersed in environment; 
• Document the sites; 
• Collect source material that will be physically included in the artwork; 
• Take lead imprints from geological or organic events found within the environment at specific sites. 

My fieldwork methodology includes sketching, rigorous digital photography, and video capture. Notes are often taken to include various sensory perceptions such as light, fragrances, and atmosphere—the physical experiences of being in a particular place. 

During this time I will conduct research within the local environments to collect soil and organic samples. Materials such as soil, sand, barks, grasses, and leaves (pending U.S. Customs regulations) will be considered.

PROPOSED TIMELINE

The timeline will be finalized in conversation with the project curator.