A project for conservation

I am currently a senior at The Savannah College of Art and Design.  My concentration is in Metals and Jewelry,  enrolled in the course  (Innovations in Studio Practice)  we were asked to develop a highly  conceptual "statement piece"  for the quarter. Through many series of sketches, critiques, and extensive research,  I am now ready to begin the construction for final installation. This project is for an innovative studio assignment. To inform and engage people in the conservation of land. By folding donated $1 bills I will construct an abstract bird wing. The final product depends on the amount of donations received during the duration of my assignment, growing wider and longer through communication. How far can we take it?

  

The First $80

Pennies!

Thanks to SCAD Dyson House Residence Life and Housing for raising funds for conservation.  They held a penny war amongst the residence advisors.  This week long event was organized to see which advisor could receive the largest amount of change.  In the end they raised $76.12, and will be sending a check to Conservacion Patagonica.
Thanks to Olivia Norton, a fellow classmate for her collaboration.

Donate $25

Using art as a way to inform and engage others, to change views.
This project is a way for more people to become involved in the act of preservation;
To influence my supporters and in an effort to collect more, I support my notion by producing a necklace for each pledge of $25.  The bronze pendants are casted into a form that represents the free flowing of rivers and each is one of a kind. They are made from recycled metal.

Ideation Sketch

After a series of sketches I have came to my final design.  The wing will be constructed with folded $1 bills.

First off

What am I accomplishing with this project?

>  My way to give back and share awareness to a conservation project. Check out their website   click here

What am I constructing/ building?

>  My field of study: Metals and Jewelry, as an artist I strive to pay close attention to the human body and how people use jewelry as personal adornment expressing individuality. Here I am using art to express what is important to me, using the body as a way to inform others. Cascading off of one shoulder I will build a wing using folded one dollar bills.  The outcome depends on the amount donations received and the more elaborate my piece will become. 

What will happen once my project is done?

>  Once the installation is considered finished, the form will be deconstructed and each individual dollar will be donated to http://www.conservacionpatagonica.org/


Want to Donate?
> email me     clingle20@gmail.com

My story, My Project

        Four weeks ago, we were asked to establish an idea for a conceptual studio project we would work on for 8 weeks. We as individual students have been privileged to explore a topic using our own voices.  It all started when I evaluated myself outside of the classroom .  Right around the time I was developing a foundation, I was on a camping trip, assuming something would come to me since I am usually inspired by nature.  This time ideation wasn't about organic form, materials, pattern, or color.  Deep into the woods, the group came across three old diapers that someone had left to rot.  Not biodegradable people!  The sight of this caused my to ask myself, why would someone leave disgusting gifts for the next wander? If you take time to enjoy the beauty of nature, then take out what you bring in. Respect future explores, wildlife and the environment by leaving nature the way it was intended.  
        After this event, the stimulation of my project began to unfold, choosing a topic that I am constantly reading into- my journey of an evolving environmentalist.  Over the past couple of years I have found myself exploring ways to conserve and protect the environment.  From research on organic gardening to recycling there is always something to be learned.  My interest revolves around projects primarily concerned with wildlife protection, and educating people about ecotourism.  Most recently reading information about clean water crisis and how mining for metal has a huge effect on our rivers. Understanding the impact we as humans have on the planet and how some pay no attention to their actions and the severity that comes with the constant need for consumption.  Leaning about companies who green wash the operations and others who recognize the usage of nonrenewable resources.  
        Within this subject matter, I recall watching the documentary 180 Degrees South.  A man on a journey to Patagonian Chile.  Upon his arrival to his final destination, he meets Doug Tompkins and his wife who have started the conservation project Consevacion Patagonica.  The project consists of the removal of dams, fences, and the restoration of grasslands. The ultimate intention of returning 650,000 acres back to its natural state.
         Venturing onto the website, they explain the history of the culture and how early European settlers abused the land for profit.  Sheep ranching which lacked in ecological awareness, with the arrival of fences and paths to transport wool.  Overgrazing the herds are responsible for dead grasslands which in turn create dust storms.  The Huemul deer (know as a native Chilean symbol) is at risk for extinction cause from over hunting.  The removal of dams so rivers can flow freely. Only 5% of the area is under conservation, the project prides itself to keeping it wild.  To protect and restore ecosystems, biodiversity and healthy communities in a region through creating national parks.  Money donated supports native and volunteer work crews with a mission to save, build and educate this ecotourism endeavor so future generations can enjoy one of the last wild places left on earth.  
         For the longest time i wanted to partake in creating jewelry for a cause.  Furthermore I've wanted develop a concept that I could speak not preach in a voice to inspire others to become aware of their everyday actions.  Showing the relationship between human and nature, using art the translate a message that changes views, with this project I share my passion for nature and my continuous growth of knowledge.  My goal is to inspire others to take care and understand we are citizens of the natural world.  Discover the unknown and set the tone for our future.