ART in CONSERVATION

Art and science often go hand in hand, even if not in obvious ways. Art can almost serve as a translator of sorts, making the scientific world relatable and discernable to those not versed in it. Perhaps even more importantly though, it has the ability to move and touch people in a way that data just cannot, it creates a visceral response. That powerful response is what is currently lacking in conservation education. The benefits of art in conservation are many, both emotional and educational, and there are equally as many ways for it to be utilized.

 

How does that saying go, a picture is worth a thousand words? Seems almost an understatement. Art, and images specifically, do more than just paint a picture, they tell a story, and in doing such, they act as a physical, visual representation of the relationships around us that we cannot easily understand (Rosenberg, 2013). The internet now allows art to go a step further, as it can be easily reproduced and seen all around the world, connecting people to people, places, and things worlds away. Better yet, to species and issues worlds away, or seemingly worlds away, like the depths of the oceans. When art is used to visually represent something it acknowledges the very existence of such things and begins to place value and meaning on them (Mittermeier, 2007).

 

Art serves as a powerful tool in showing us what is important and why, making us really take a look at the world around us. Opening our eyes and accepting the existence of such environmental issues is the first step in defending species worldwide.