Art and Ecology

An image taken from a drone, high in the sky. It shows various green fields and trees, in the foreground is a river which has overflowed into its flood plains.

Did you know, floodplain meadows deliver multiple benefits to our ecosystem and are a crucial tool in efforts to address critical environmental challenges.

They reduce and delay flood peaks, help to combat drought, provide a home for diverse animal and plant species and help improve water quality.

YouTube video by Glasgow Science Festival Landscapes of Change | Samuel Shaw, The Open University

youtu.be/Y72tRZyEM1Y?... It's been a while since I made and shared this video, but looking back at it today and thinking anew about landscape painting, rivers, and pollution I feel pretty proud of it... #artclimatechange #pollution #rivers #anthropocene

Wonderful to visit Achurch Meadow with colleagues from Floodplain Meadow Partnership, Natural England & Environment Agency. Vivid reminder of the HUGE importance of such places, for biodiversity, clean rivers, flood storage, carbon & more. 99% is gone, but massive opportunities for restoration.

I've been really lucky to be working on a project with @nationaltrust.org.uk and @floodplainmead.bsky.social on the role that art can play in promoting floodplain meadows restoration. Short film on its way...

Whilst some are busy in the field, others in the team presented the TREASURE project at the Open Societal Challenges Showcase event. Great to meet folk & encourage them to have a go at making pipe cleaner species found on the meadows! @openuniversity.bsky.social ‬ @nationaltrust.org.uk

For those in the Glasgow area this coming weekend @tannahillcentre.bsky.social @paisleymuseum.bsky.social

For those in the Glasgow area this coming weekend @tannahillcentre.bsky.social @paisleymuseum.bsky.social

‘Art and Ecology’ connects people and climate OU art historians work with local people in Perthshire to reflect on climate change in new ways.

fass.open.ac.uk/news/art-and...

I asked google whether GenAI is sustainable and it told me it was, so everything is a-ok

..... oh wait....

#ai #genai #robotsaretakingovertheworld

I never tire of talking about this painting with students. Something new every time.... (Eduoard-Louis Dubufe and Rosa Bonheur, Rosa Bonheur, c.1857, Palace of Versailles collection) #bull #animalsinart #rosabonheur #shorthorn

AI doesn't make you a better writer. Writing makes you a better writer.

Always happy to see this re-posted!

Rising Waters in Art and Science - Perth Museum How can museum objects help us understand climate change and historical fluctuations in water levels? Join two art historians from...

perthmuseum.co.uk/event/rising...

YouTube video by International Anthem Jeff Parker ETA IVtet - Freakadelic

I have discovered a new way of working. It's called 'do everything you normally do, but listen to Jeff Parker while doing it'. All tasks suddenly seem easier and cooler... #newwayofworking #resolution #newyear www.youtube.com/watch?v=arwp...

I very much enjoyed taking part in this at the weekend.... #botany #NewYearPlantHunt

The remarkable Highlands cave discovery that shows polar bears once roamed Scotland Bones and teeth were discovered in a cave in the Scottish Highlands

Read about our fishy bears from the Assynt bone caves that roamed north-west Scotland 40,000 years ago - we aren’t sure if they are polar bears yet, but luckily the press are 😅 www.scotsman.com/heritage-and...

In 1819 the skin of a polar bear was put on public display at the British Museum. Here's George Cruikshank's imagining of the bearskin being carried to the BM....

YouTube video by Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences at The OU Why are polar bears the face of climate change? (Art & Ecology series)

Still not used to checking this website, but hoping to be more present soon. In the meantime, to celebrate icy winds here in the UK, here's another short video about polar bears 🐻‍❄️... youtu.be/M7iAFsAzzk8?...

YouTube video by Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences at The OU The Polar Bears of Perth

Just migrated here from a previous inhabitable habitat... I'm an art historian with a keen interest in animal history, ecocriticism, the long 19th century, etc. I keep finding myself researching monochrome animals: it started with zebras, and now involves polar bears:
youtu.be/kGDrDWX9U84?...