As a member of the Art Presence Art Center, I had the opportunity to show my collection of monotypes and paintings, Bridges to 2020, at the Medford Library. The show has been held over through the end of July 2015! Below is a video with my comments on the paintings. I’ll post an edited version soon but wanted to get this one out there for people to see. I hope you will find it inspiring, and will come to the Medford Library to see the collection in person before the end of the month!
This is the short version of a Powerpoint presentation I’m using in talks about the dangers of GMOs. You can view this presentation in fullscreen mode by mousing over it and clicking the “double arrow” icon at the bottom.
Those who’ve followed my work since the late 1990s know I’m deeply involved, along with thousands of residents and dozens of organizations and groups, in addressing challenges on all fronts of social, economic and environmental stewardship and justice.
The challenges of our time are extreme and pressing, and will require an educated public to engage leaders in a re-thinking and re-working of existing assumptions, laws, and inequities that block solutions to climate change, drought, corporatocracy and the disenfranchisement of many Americans.
My Bridges to 2020 offer optimistic portrayals of common sense solutions and hopeful information on better outcomes for people, planet and all sentient beings. I hope my art and writing will inspire you to explore ancient and visionary ideas and that you too will engage in actions to rebalance our human relationships with resources, environment, politics, our region, our world and ourselves.
Join me in contemplating ways we can move in an upward spiral via re-examining existing beliefs and assumptions and exploring ways to replace the laws, practices, traditions, apathy and misunderstandings that encumber the solutions and changes necessary for the very best possible future. there are resources beneath the gallery below with research suggestions and resources. I have also included “Oregon’s Bridges to 2020,” a list of suggested areas of focus that was presented with my exhibition in 2015.
Bridges to 2020 book list compiled by Artist Catie Faryl , April 2015
Frankenstein’s Cat by Emily Anthes
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert
The Ecology of Eden by Evan Eisenberg
Art as Medicine by Shaun McNiff
A People’s History of America by Howard Zinn,
“The Great Work: Our Way into the Future” by Brian Swimme
The Universe is a Green Dragon by Thomas Berry
The World Without Us by Alan Weisman
Altered Genes, Twisted Truth, Steven Druker
The Human Impact on the Natural Environment: Past, Present, and Future Paperback – June 10, 2013
Geo-Engineering Climate Change: Environmental Necessity or Pandora’s Box? Hardcover – January 18, 2010 J. Michael T. Thompson
Ark of the Broken Covenant: Protecting the World’s Biodiversity Hotspots (Issues in Comparative Public Law) Hardcover – February 28, 2003 by John Charles Kunich
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
Listening to the Land by Derrick Jensen
Poison Spring: The Secret History of Pollution and the EPA Paperback – March 3, 2015 by E.G. Vallianatos
Silent Spring, Paperback – Unabridged, October 22, 2002 by Rachel Carson
The Resurgence of the Real: Body, Nature and Place in a Hypermodern World, Paperback – March 1, 1999 by Charlene Spretnak
This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate, Hardcover – September 16, 2014 by Naomi Klein
Lost Lore: A celebration of traditional wisdom Hardcover – November 7, 2009 by Editors of Chambers
What’s Mine Is Yours: The Rise of Collaborative Consumption. Rachel Botsman, Roo Rogers Paperback – February 1, 2011 by Rachel Botsman
EARTH BRIDGE: Humans Be Still! Make room and care for all elements and sentient beings
Earth Bridge
Key Word Searches:
Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) Famous for the idea of the Reverence of Life
Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983) neo-futuristic architect, systems theorist, author, designer, and inventor.
Antonio Gaudi (1852-1926) Famous for his study of nature applied to architecture
Books:
Frankenstein’s Cat by Emily Anthes
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4461265.stm NEWS | Africa | Why pumping water is child’s play. Playground roundabouts are being used in South Africa to solve water supply problems in rural villages
INSTITUTE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR CONSERVATION OF ENERGY IN EVERY SECTOR. REWARD LESS UTILITY USE BY MAKING CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES PARTNERS IN REDUCTION OF POWER AND WATER SOURCES. Most people recycle – we fill the green bins, and that green material is sold to BioMass, to the profit of the garbage companies. Likewise the red bins’ contents are sold and profit the garbage companies. It is time to allow citizens to participate in this profitable exchange by incentivizing them. A rewards points system could be developed that gives recyclers a discount on their garbage collection bill. Incentivize people with a low water rate as a reward for the lowest users. Charge the excessive users/abusers a costly amount.
SEEK INVESTORS AND FIND STATE MONEY TO DEVELOP NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND BRING FORWARD NEW INVENTIONS. STOP REPRESSING NEW AND CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES IN FAVOR OF OLD FOSSIL FUEL SYSTEMS.
USE GAS TAX FOR FUNDING MODERN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS: Amend the Oregon State constitution and budget to include a portion of the State Gas Tax to build alternative public transportation and new transportation energy technologies and system.
WORK WITH ODOT so that abandoned systems rest stops along I-5 can be utilized as Demonstration Centers for Landfill Diversion and new technologies that use fiber (cleared from State roads and railroad properties) for cellulose building and new energy. A HUGE JOBS PROGRAM COULD BE CREATED BASED ON CLEANING UP THE ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPING BETTER WAYS OF HANDLING WASTE such as soil building and energy/fuel generation.
STOP SPRAYING of City, County, State and Federal lands AND CREATE A WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE MATERIALS FOR NEW BUSINESSES USING CELLOLOSE PRINTERS AND NON FOOD BIO FUELS.
DEMAND THAT RAILROADS CONCEDE RIGHT OF WAYS for passenger trains, and stop “hogging” the lines for freight only.
BRING BACK MANUFACTURING JOBS TO OREGON THAT ARE BASED ON LAND AND FOREST STEWARDSHIP.
REMOVE FEDERAL SUBSIDIES FOR GMO FARMING. INCREASE SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMILY FARMS
CLEAN WATER: Clean up the waterways and air through an education campaign about storm drains, unnecessary garden chemicals, and other pollution sources. Innovate new water catchment and remove laws that encumber home gray water and catchment systems.
USE WATER APPROPRIATELY: In rural and agriculture regions rebuild the irrigation districts and improve water catchment, allow gray water systems for homes and businesses, build cisterns and repair natural riparian systems in order to establish reliable water supplies where outdoor water is used for outdoor purposes. This would take a great deal of pressure off potable water expense and make more sense to use potable water for drinking, cooking and bathing and outdoor water for irrigation, landscaping, car washing, etc.
Evaluate the riparian waterways and the T.I.D. and M.I.D. systems to see how water catchment, creation of water cisterns, restoration of creeks and streams can provide more conservation and better coordination of how potable and outdoor water can be used for most savings and conserving water. Avoid immediate removal of dams which are providing hydro-power and study more closely the disruptive impacts to environment and communities.
EXPAND JOBS IN FOREST STEWARDSHIP and make new jobs to clear the fallen fire-fuel and small trees before we experience a major forest fire.
WORK WITH THE GREEN GRANGES, and other farm groups to transition all Oregon farms to non GMO, non-chemical, sustainable farming practices. BAN ALL GMOS IN OREGON TO PROTECT OUR LEGACY AS A SEED SANCTUARY AND A HAVEN FOR ORGANIC GROWERS TO LIVE AND GROW FOOD FOR AMERICA.
DESIGN ALL PUBLIC SPACES, SCHOOLS AND GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS WITH FOOD FORESTS AND FOOD-PRODUCING GARDENS AND WATER CATCHMENT FEATURES. SUPPORT HOME AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OF SAME.
STATE OFFER FREE NUTRITION CLASSES to educate people and wean them off refined white sugar, canola oil, GM corn and soy, snacks and processed foods that contribute to rise in diabetes, heart attack and cancers.
LOWER THE USE OF ALCOHOL, DRUGS, pharmaceuticals, smoking, anti-depressants, and illegal drug use through counseling and a jobs program that pays the unemployed or poverty-line retirees for doing prevention, care and community work with those in need.
ENCOURAGE THE MEDIA TO RAISE STANDARDS of movies, TV programming and limit the death, violence, gratuitous sex and carnage, encourage spiritual leaders and trendsetters to raise the bar, restore common sense, human scope and kindness and moral compass to what is produced and shown.
SUPPORT INDEPENDENT MEDIA AND INCREASE VOTER BASE BY CREATING JOBS AND STAKEHOLDER STATUS FOR ALL RESIDENTS.
MAINTAIN A STRONG PUBLIC SCHOOL AND LIBRARY SYSTEM. MAINTAIN POST OFFICES AND PUBLIC SERVICE NECESSITIES.
RECLAIM RESPECT AND PROPER TREATMENT OF PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT – Golden Rule as main law, and reduce the patrolling and imprisonment of people through giving them work and positive and attainable goals and rewards. RESTORE RESPECT FOR RIGHTS OF NATURE.
SEND NO SOLDIERS FROM OREGON TO WARS.
REDUCE PACKAGING OF ALL KINDS. Mount a public relations campaign to give people the thought to COMPROMISE BY USING MORE GENERIC PRODUCTS, LESS CHOICES AND LESS GLAMOUR/STATUS IN EXCHANGE FOR FEWER AND BETTER CHOICES.
-Catie Faryl, updated in May 2015 for Bridges to 2020 Art Exhibit at Medford, Oregon Library thru 7/7/15
This was one of the largest exhibits I’ve had and it is a theme I continue to explore. It was originally exhibited in Medford, Oregon at the Rogue Gallery and Art Center and has since been shown in a church and a gallery in Portland and elsewhere.
The large gallery in Medford was a wonderful venue; with outer gallery walls and inner panels I was able to display the work as a “3 Ring Circus” of sorts, with the outer walls holding the cosmology/theology pieces, and used the inner clusters of three circular panel configurations to present the earthly forms and figures.
Ten years later I still resonate with the importance of this theme, and continue to offer classes on the Art of the Circus. This powerful metaphor has been explored and exploited by many artists and is also at the core of much carnal entertainment we see today, as well as pageantry and sacred rituals of religion. As Above, So Below, we strive to rise to our highest potentials and continue to be tempted by the gravity of our human condition.
Soon I will present a contiguous body of work called “Eve’s Bad Rap.” In this “better story” I look at the damage done by the myth of Eden and look at new parables, better outcomes and more positive portrayals of women and their huge contribution to society, beauty, industry: a happiness and prosperity that would be impossible without them.
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. And now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known . . . . . . . .”
“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
1 Corinthians 13, verse 11 and 13
This quotation returned to my attention in July 2009 while pondering my years of work with environmental, social and political issues. I was questioning the human ability to see what is actually real and how often we think we know the right paths to take, but are often disoriented and become lost or disillusioned. It seemed to me, that summer of 2009, we were at a crossroad or in a precarious balance – at the tipping point of seeing what could be done to stave off and heal the consequences of human-caused damage to the planet.
Creating art is a shamanistic duty and tradition that our culture must reclaim. An artist guide’s role is to visit the spirit world and the future to bring back positive messages, symbols, dreams and goals, remedies and “cures” for the tribe. In the summer of 2009, I observed the apathy, cynicism and inaction reflected in some people’s cavalier statements that “huge population die-offs were meant to be” or that “our human civilization either can’t pass or is undeserving of passing this evolutionary hurdle” and I could not let those beliefs go unchallenged.
Human beings, in my view, are noble creatures. We can embrace our role as Stewards of the Planet and look deep into our collective conscious to find answers to uphold the best future for all sentient beings and Mother Earth. We can think and act locally and sow seeds not of our differences but cultivate gardens where all can grow in peace and prosperity. Like nature’s bounty, love needs little tending in hearts that are willing and in minds that dare to imagine, not despair. Our energy can be gathered to see clearly and do the work that must be done.
“So let abide these three: faith, hope and charity.” We have seen things through a green but cloudy glass – confusing, disturbing, inconclusive – and now we are ready to move forward with courage in illuminated passages through these interesting times.
In 2006 I had this “epiphany”: People needed to stop arguing about whether Climate Change was real.
Instead of arguing about “Global Warming,” we could suspend our disbelief or zealous defense of the cause and simply call these weather and climate phenomena a more descriptive and encompassing name: GLOBAL WEIRDING!
GLOBAL WEIRDING cannot be refuted! You don’t need to believe anything, just observe what is right in front of your eyes. SEEING IS BELIEVING and the acceleration of disasters is the clearest message we have that Nature is not up for business as usual. The stakes have changed and reading our new situation is imperative.
The real challenge is to move in ways that are effective in restoring balance. Granted, it is difficult to convince people to change their habits or mitigate carbon releases into the atmosphere if they see no connection and, in effect, feel no personal power to impact or control their fate. Preaching to the choir, I showed this work to the Scientific Summit on Climate Change held at Southern Oregon University in 2007.
It was interesting to attend that conference and use the artwork for a colorful conversation starter during breaks and conversations with the scientific community. A key point of the conference was what could be done about the “gag order” that had been imposed by the Bush Administration, which had threatened to pull all grant funding from scientific studies who viewed climate change as real. Another was the problem of mainstream media, where the issue was rarely mentioned.
It’s interesting to write a current statement about my artwork. What I painted in 2006 was a forward look at what was about to happen. Truth makes a believer out of everyone, given enough time, and I feel proud to have done a small service in telescoping what I saw then in order to be just a tiny drop added to a raging torrent of publicity and activity directed at solving the problems of Global Weirding.
Catie Faryl
January 2012 Note: Beneath the image gallery is a reproduction of my original comments to this exhibition.
