Did you know that a photo of a river has been accredited with winning an election for a political party in Australia?
As Rod Giblett documents in his research, a photograph called Rock Island Bend by Peter Dombrovski was used in a political ad against the damming of the Franklin River.
Giblett, a communications director at Edith Cowan University, studies Australian cultural identity extensively and credits this photo with helping win the election for one of the political parties. He describes the photo as “the visual embodiment of a turning point in Australia’s environmental and political history.”
Art’s role in conservation
I think art can play a big role in conservation. I currently am working on a project for my master’s program focusing on the connections between art and conservation. I have two pieces in the landscape art show at the Danville Community Arts Center. The show is free and open to the public and will be running until mid November.
My pieces use photos I took while in Trinidad this summer, and from last summer in Belize. I made two collages — one of clean beaches, and one with trash and debris shown on beaches.
For my project, I’m surveying people to see which set of photos people like looking at and which images are more powerful. There are many different artists and styles represented at the show. I encourage everyone to attend, not just for my piece but for all the great works of art on display.
Feedback means coins for league
Stop by and take in the exhibit. If you want to participate in my survey, my pieces are on display on the second floor, near the best-in-show piece. For each survey that has been completed by the end of the show, I will donate 25 cents to the Herrington Lake Conservation League. It’s important to get the conservation message out there, no matter what your passion is or how you want to inform people about it.
Everyone has different issues they are passionate about, which is great — if everyone was passionate about the same thing, other things that need attention would be neglected.
I am passionate about clean beaches and water conservation, so I’m figuring out ways to increase awareness. If you have a passion for something environmental, I encourage you to act on it. And if you’re already doing something to improve the environment, send an email to me at amandawheelerphoto@live.com. I might share what you’re doing in a future column.
Amanda’s Animal Fact of the Week:
A mother Harp seal can distinguish its baby from hundreds of others by scent alone.
If you go...
“Horizon: Contemporary Landscape” continues through mid-November at the Community Arts Center, 401 West Main St.
Hours of operation are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Visit the Community Arts Center's Web site at communityartscenter.net.
