Friday, August 14, 2009

Examples of Music Groups Specializing in Environmental Music


Billy B. Brennan: http://www.billybproductions.com/

Enuf! Planet’s Favorite Band: http://www.enufwaste.com/

The Wilderbeats: http://www.wilderbeats.com/home/

Rosie Emery: http://www.interconnected.ca/

Banana Slug String Band: http://www.bananaslugstringband.com/
For songs: http://www.myspace.com/bananaslugstringband

Fiddlefire: http://www.youtube.com/user/chrismckhool

Remy Rodden: http://www.thinkabout.ca/Think_About/Home.html

Michael Mish Music: http://www.mishmashmusic.com/


Other websites related to Environmental Songs & Education


Earth Songs:
http://www.planetpatriot.net/earth_songs.html
“a collection of environmental songs, albums, and songbooks, and links to related resources”


Songs for Teaching:
http://www.songsforteaching.com/environmentsongs.htm
"earth songs about nature, environmental concern, conservation, and alternative sources of energy"


A Playlist of Environmental Songs for Earth Day
http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/yradish/8039/environmental-songs-for-earth-day
(click on the song titles below the blogpost to listen)


General Environmental songs by famous musicians:
http://www.grinningplanet.com/6001/environmental-songs.htm

the seeds of change




The seeds of change

 

The Image that I transformed is a picture of an African woman against a dark background with nothing in it. Below the picture is talks about how woman are gaining power but they still need the resources so they can get money to buy land and seeds and plant the seeds of change around them. I cut out pictures of plants and fruits from different magazines and glued them to the copy of the original picture. I wanted to make the background come to life. I left the woman in the picture and left the words “the seeds of change” and “ I am powerful.” I felt that even though I didn’t change the woman in the picture herself, she actually seemed more happy in the second picture. I think this advertisement addresses two issues.  It addresses how woman need the resources to buy land and plant seeds and if people help her then we will not only be helping her but we will be helping the whole community.

 

 citation:

Pg 55. AARP. September and October 2009

Care




What Happens When You Add Healthy Plants, Fresh Thinking?






I wanted to change the dark, smoky environment. I needed to take out the fire, and the kerosene lamp that was in the previous picture. It was replaced with a ceramic stone pot with beautiful natural plants and weeds. The kerosene lamp is now serving as a pot planter with lilac herb plants inside it. Once a table in the other picture, it has been turned into a natural stone patio with grass, rocks, herbs, and plants around it.

The butterfly appears to be happily flying around this healthy, aromatherapic environment. This environment creates a clear blue sky. The clouds are so healthy, they appear to be dancing in the sky.

When we eliminate gas pollutants in small or large amounts, we create a healthier environment. When we have healthy air, the birds, butterflies, and all living creatures come outdoor to play. Therefore, people become healthy due to the clean air, natural environment, and thriving healthy plants.

Citation: Wired Magazine, page 67, June 2008.


Karen Thompson

Power toward Peace



The ongoing crisis’ in Africa are tragic evolutionary products of war over natural resources. Power abuse and economic survival of the fittest has led to the destruction of communities and families. The systematic rape of women remains rampant. This image serves as one reminder of the perpetuated horrors inflicted on the innocent and its rippling effects. I have been passionate about this issue and the efforts at the Panzi Hospital for rape victims, so this image resonated with me. The oppression and regression of humanity in these regions needs world integrated support to stop the violence and empower the rebuilding of these communities. Women are at the heart of CARE’s work toward fighting global poverty-- through awareness, and equipping women with resources, they “have the power to help whole families and entire communities, improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources.” (www.care.org). My remix reflects the perspective of embracing and celebrating the power of women toward global positive change.



Original image: Mother Jones May/June 2009, p.68


-Midge


Thursday, August 13, 2009

Nourish



The original image disturbed me because it was the perfect example of how animals suffer and adapt to the pollution caused by human beings. Forced to make a home out of his garbage filled environment the swan constructed a nest made out of grass and garbage. The water surrounding the swan is murky and polluted, yet the swan has managed to adapt to its surroundings so that it can lay eggs and protect his nest. For my digital remix, I wanted to show a scene in which people and animals can live together in harmony. I removed the garbage from the swan’s nest and cleaned out the murky water. On the wall behind the swan, I superimposed a piece of environmental graffiti by Anna Garforth. This was to show a world in which humans not only care for the environment, but express their concern through environmentally friendly art.

Sunny

Artist Unknown, Pollution: A Mute Swan has built a nest using plastic garbage. Retrieved August 1st, 2009.

STOP-REALIZE



This Ritani jewelry ad appeared in Elle Magazine’s August 2009 issue. This ad speaks to a viewer that has allowed them self to become completely disassociated with the global environmental reality we all face. Sadly, I believe that purchasers of jewelry made from Earth extracted metals and gems simply don’t realize or care about the tremendous damage done to our shared planet when the raw materials for their jewelry is blasted from the ground. I used the headline “STOP” but also considered using “REALIZE” as a headline because of this disconnection. While it’s become fashionable to wear only “conflict free” diamonds, people need to realize no diamond, other gem, or precious metal is conflict free. Any substance obtained through a process that leaves behind environmental destruction is born from what is essentially environmental conflict, violence against the Earth. Hopefully, a remix like this would be enough to alert potential jewelry purchasers to the environmental devastation that occurs due to the demand they create.

–Pete

Elle Magazine, August 2009, page not numbered, located 3 pages before Table of Contents, page 36.

Photo Credits, Top to Left to Right: Fred Mayer-Hulton Archive, Fred Mayer-Hulton Archive, Alexander Joe-AFP, Patrick Landmann-Getty Images News, Issouf Sanogo-AFP, Georges Gobet-AFP, Georges Gobet-AFP

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Coexist



The original image shows a man standing in an exhibit hall peering into glass at animals preserved by taxidermy. It depressed me to see these beautiful animals lifeless, stuffed, and forced into such a sterile environment. I began thinking how different it would be to return them to a natural setting. So I filled the remix with various images and textures representing earth and sky. Placing the animals in this new environment brought them back to life. I decided to reverse the position of the man and to place him, essentially, inside the frames of the exhibit. I positioned the animals to be curiously peering into the man’s house. This made me think about our connections to nature, particularly wildlife. How can we give back what we have taken away? How can we inhabit the same place—peacefully?

Source: Improper Bostonian, Carla Richmond, V. 18, No. 14, July 8-28, 2009, p. 74.

Sarah Besegai

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Save Money, Honor Yourself and The Earth When You Spend It.




The first image was shocking to me because it was a picture of a dead stuffed rabbit with antlers. It was appalling to think that this would be the image for an ad. When I looked closer I saw that it was for Esurance, a company that claims to save people money and the ad was suggesting that they don't care what you spend the money you save on, even if it happens to be a dead stuffed rabbit. My response to this was, why show an image of death and disconnection as a possibility of what to spend money on when you could be offering suggestions of health and well being as options to spend money. I transformed the image to suggest playing outside, being with friends and family, eating healthy food, taking care of yourself with exercise and play, traveling and being out in nature as much better options to spend the money you save. I left their text because I think it would be great for them to save people money and even better for them to offer options of spending that encourage self, family and outdoor health. This is much better than encouraging people to buy dead animals or any other material objects that will not benefit their health and well being. The line then, "How you spend it is up to you," is seen as, look at all these wonderful options that support the earth and your well being, go enjoy your life.

Image found in Entertainment Weekly, Special Oscar Guide '09, page 85.

Kelsey

Citizens Of Earth


This image is an advertisement for a new travel magazine called A'FAR. I was drawn to this image because I thought it beautifully displayed the diversity in cultures and in environments through feet. The advertisement asks the viewer to check out the diverse ways people around the globe cover their toes. I viewed it as away to embrace differences and learn about the origins of these people.
In my remix I wanted to strip away the grid which confines each set of feet. Instead opening them to one another, allowing freedom and space. I wanted the feet to live together. To me this is a more harmonious and idealized view on how we as humans should all live peacefully and share our planet earth. My caption for A'FAR's add says "Check out the premier issue of A'FAR travel magazine. Walk in the foot steps of Earth's citizens. Through travel, discover the diversity of place, culture and custom. Learn to embrace differences. Find ways to enjoy earth while supporting its sustainability.

Dwell Magazine, A'FAR Travel Magazine. August 2009 Issue, pg. 116.

Jordan

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Saving the Humans





The original image was an advertisement for a car company, trying to sell yet another car. I am constantly bothered by the fact that purchasing a new car is pushed on us as an audience everywhere we go, yet taking public transportation is never advertised. The simple act of walking is virtually unheard of, even with the economy the way it is. Part of what will turn our economy around and the ecology of the world, is based on people giving up their cars and finding a new way to get to work.

US Weekly Magazine, Honda. August 10, 2009, pg.13.

Sarah

Saturday, August 1, 2009

exhausted Mother Nature




‘How pretty and simple’ I thought when I came across this Van Cleef and Arpels advertisement. The woman standing in the beautiful field of wildflowers with butterflies floating around her in a pristine white dress created a scene that looked so perfect. In my alteration, I decided to name the woman Mother Nature and removed her from this natural landscape into an industrial metropolis where no natural landscape is present. She is surrounded by manmade skyscrapers that seem to engulf her. Pieces of the original wildflower field and sky make up her outfit as do other natural elements like poppies, tree bark, rivers, and ferns. Instead of pulling the brim of her hat to block the sun like she was in the original image, she is now pulling it in desperation, embarrassment, and exhaustion. Moreover, I added teardrops to her face to make her puzzled expression look fatigued and sad.

This image no longer celebrates the natural environment but rather conveys how we are exhausting the gifts Mother Nature has given us. In the remixed image’s industrial environment she is out of place and lost. In recent years, I have witnessed the clearing of beautiful areas in my area for the construction of plazas and strip malls. Mother Nature is constantly being overworked and overlooked. How are we to change this destructive and devastating cycle?

Source: Architectural Digest, May 2007

Alison.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Transforming the Wildlife


When I first saw this advertisement for Dawn dishwashing soap, I was interested because I did not realize Dawn has a new campaign to save the wildlife. Dawn is promoting that “their soap is tough, yet gentle.” The company is asking consumers to visit a website titled “dawnsaveswildlife.com” in order to make a donation to save the wildlife. The advertisement was bright and attracted my attention, but I thought the message was not clear enough, and consumers would think it was just a pretty bird and not understand the connection between saving the wildlife and using Dawn dishwashing soap.

I decided to transform the image into a vibrant and colorful piece and write, “Save the Wildlife,” in a larger typeface so the message would attract more attention to consumers. I added a textured border and images of penguins, a turtle, a seal, an eagle, fishes, and flowers. I want to tell my audience how beautiful and fragile our wildlife is and make consumers aware of the endangered species.

Original image: Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, August 2009, Volume 87, No. 8, pg. 101

-Simone Kivett

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Nature's True Value



This True Value Hardware ad struck me as negative. Instead of showing what good things their tools and advice do for the lawn and flowers they show a squirrel who dug up a flower bulb and the angry garden owner looking at him in frustration with the phrase "we've been there" at the top. I thought it would be best to transform this image making the squirrel hold a nut instead of the bulb and show a happy little girl playing in her garden looking exited to see the squirrel. Instead of the garden appearing destroyed, I added nice flowers and green grass. I wanted to show the joy of being in nature and sharing space with animals. I covered the "we've been there" phrase because it did not illustrate my positive message. However, I kept the message at the bottom because it fits with the new image, just giving it a positive twist. Instead of saying True Value can help you fix the mess rodents (such as this squirrel) do, I say here is what a beautiful, enticing and animal friendly garden True Value can help you achieve. I used cut up magazines, pastel, and marker to transform the image. Being my third digital media art remix, the process I felt very natural and comfortable to me.

Original image: Good Housekeeping magazine, June 2009, p. 33

Laurene

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Evolving from Empty



“Recycling your water bottles is all fine and good, but your trash is nothing compared with industries’ mountain of garbage.” ~Joel Makower

When I first viewed this image, the color, alignment, and emptiness of the metal rusty barrels lured me to pause, discover, and reflect on the artist’s message in varying associative contexts. I contemplated water bottle production, distribution, and its isolated impact. My thoughts gravitated toward small recycled water bottles as small efforts with minimal global effect, even though derived from positive intent. I viewed these large empty industrial containers as organized symbols of the ignorance and detached greed they cumulatively represent. Individual efforts toward environmental sustainability, in all their authenticity, seem meaningless unless an industrial transformation is embraced. We must evolve from empty corporate propaganda, false efforts, and inaction; we must propel toward responsible, preemptive, and collaborative change at broader levels. I chose to fill these corroded barrels with diverse people, water, and landscapes, as well as recycle the letters/message, as a reminder of the immediate need to move beyond "empty" toward true sustainability and appreciation.

Original image: Chris Jordan, Mother Jones, May/June 2009, p. 60

-Midge

Waiting for Prince Charming



Changing your environment to a natural environment can create a fairy tale. The story in the original seems dismal and hopeless. The interior is dull, dirty and depressing, setting the scene for a tragic dialogue. By placing the figures outside in a natural, clean and beautiful environment, one wants to tell a different, more enchanting story. The sorrowful bride can dream of a happy ending. Simply being in nature can inspire a different type of story, engage your imagination, and create an escape from the ordinary.

Original image: James Stanfield, A Day in the Life of America, Smithsonian, June 2006, Pg. 20-21

Sunny

Absence Of Nature- Presence Of Greed




The image I chose is of a construction site. It is stark and lacks anything natural. As I look at this image I imagine what might have been there years ago or what could have been there in place of man made materials. The transformation of my image consists of making aware the consequences of construction on the environment. I collaged images of trees cut down, destroyed and torn up plant life. In the back ground the towers shine, dollar signs flicker in the window. Through the dollar signs I placed silhouette images of tree branches to represent the memory of what might once have existed there. A billboard looms in the background. The statement is disconcerting but if forest and land is continually viewed as opportunity for building and earning money, what will our children’s children have left to call a natural environment?

Original image: New York Magazine, July 2009, pg 27. Image: aptsandlofts.com

Jordan Lund

Wild Ideas




The original image was an advertisement for a new reality show about Jockeys. The heading at the top of the page states, "Win or Die Trying." The advertisement startled me because it advocates competition to the point of death. It also advocates keeping horses from their wild natural habitat and way of life. I am not against horse riding, but I do think there is a limit to how much we use animals for our own enjoyment - including hunting, for food, and for money. For these reasons I decided to transform this image into one that was in support of nature untouched, providing a voice of advocacy for keeping the wild wild and not controlling it for our personal, often greedy, wishes.

Original image: Entertainment Weekly. January 30/February 6, 2009 - #1032/1033. Page 15.

Kelsey

Rescue the Reef




When I first saw this image in a magazine I was drawn to the picture because of all the colorful fish and reefs. I then read the description that was with the image. I read about how pollution, overfishing and climate change are destroying the coral reefs. I was very surprised when I read that 70% of the world’s reefs may disappear within 50 years. I decided that I wanted to change this image from what it looks likes now to what it will look like if we keep ignoring the problem. I covered up all the reefs and fish with blue paper and added black to emphasize the emptiness of the water. I also added a red arrow pointing toward the word disappear. Marine life and humans will suffer if we don’t protect our reefs. I love the ocean and I don’t want to see this happen.

Original image: Nature Conservancy Photo, Rescue the Reef, AARP, 2009, pg. 57

Liz Swienton

Real Food Comes from Nature not a Can: Buy Fresh, Buy Local !




I transformed this Chef Boyardee Beef ravioli ad adverting that a bowl has an entire serving of vegetables in it. This might be true but this product also has a lot additives and preservatives such as corn starch, MSG, and high fructose corn syrup that I wrote below the original message. Therefore I crossed out the can of ravioli and added many brightly colored fruits, vegetables, and nuts all around. The ad also suggests folding the dotted lines together for a more kid-friendly message which says “no veggies.” The line “obviously delicious, secretly nutritious” gives further emphasis to the concept of hiding veggies from kids. Why hide the veggies? I think eating veggies is a habit that needs to be learned at a very young age. Kids can be exited about eating fruits and veggies by participating in the grocery shopping process. I added a picture of a mother and her children in nature to point out that true food comes from nature not a can and motivate families to spend time in the natural environment. I encourage parents to buy fresh and buy local.

Original image: Disney Family Fun magazine, August 2009, p. 23

Laurene

Free Bird




It was liberating to change the image to my own liking and satisfaction. I chose a still life with nature-inspired man-made objects, including: a yellow orb, a flowered chandelier, a studded red bracelet and a painted black bird.

I wanted to place these objects back into a natural environment with greenness, growth, plants, fruits, insects and other animals. I did this by finding images that fit my goal.

The bird became so happy in his new environment that he started singing. I feel like I set him free. Changing the image helped me feel powerful and constructive—and activist and artist.

Original image: Ditte Isager, Domino Magazine, March 2008, p. 107

Sarah B.

baby steps



My original image was an advertisement for signing up for free e-statements from my bank. I have always received my statements in the mail. I never really thought about changing over to conserve on paper use. Having a shredder I am constantly shredding junk mailers. Not only did I find the woman with the grass shirt appealing, I also liked the text at the top left of the card which read, “You don’t have to go to the extreme to make a difference.” I appreciate the notion of living to the cliché that one person can make a difference even if they make changes in baby steps. With this concept, I altered the image to illustrate that we are running out of time so I decided to use imagery of re-usable bags and water bottles. I also used the text “Let there be more Green Earth” to convey our responsibilities to Mother Nature.

Original image: Clinton Savings Bank, postcard advertisement, July 2009

Alison

A New City


When I first found this image in the National Geographic Magazine from July 2009, I was astonished at the environment of the city and cemetery in Bosnia. After the war in Bosnia, the city looks depressed and dark. There is little green space and residents are lacking fresh oxygen from the trees, and the city has no rivers or streams. I have transformed the cemetery into a beautiful, peaceful place with green spaces, flowers, and water. The city residents can now enjoy a changed place where the terrible memories of war are slowly disappearing. I want to tell my audience how important green spaces are in revitalizing a war torn city.

Original image: National Geographic Magazine, July 2009, Volume 216, No. 1 from "Serbs Face the Future", Photographer, Christopher Anderson, pg. 117.

Simone Kivett

get back to nature



The original name of this image was, “What the living do” by Marie Howe. I choose this image as one I wanted to change because this woman needed to be taken out of the 50’s and into present day culture. The subject looks as though her life passion is walking down Park street shopping for material items with her prize winning dog. Since modern day culture has become beyond obsessed with obtaining material items I decided to send out a different message. GET BACK TO NATURE! In the created image I placed the woman outside in nature. I took her out of her restricted clothing and let her hair down. She is now a free woman that does not need to spend money on material items to be truly happy. She is sending a message to look around and enjoy your surrondings.

Original Image: The Oprah Magazine, Marie Howe, "What The Living Do", 2006. Pg 45

Sarah

Media Remiss



Seeing a photo of Sarah Palin quickly reminded me of just how little our media actually holds our political leaders feet to the fire. Sadly, at this point, I expect most elected leaders to be devoid of ideas or solutions to our nation’s problems. This might not be a reality however if the media did its job of watch dogging rather then providing coverage that legitimizes these so called leaders. People is tacitly saying (or perhaps not so tacitly saying) that the figures create legislation that impacts every American are basically entertainers. The piece does not bring the reader new information; moreover it does not question Palin’s motives or decisions. I transformed this message by replacing the original text with text that brings to light just how poorly the U.S. media does it job.

Original image: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty, "Life is About Choices", People, July 20, 2009, pg. 60

Pete

Be My Mommy




This advertisement is for perfume. The image is of a happy family with a baby. I am sure perfume is their priority. Because babies are a hot topic in hollywood right now. The remix images are from a magazine layout of all that baby bliss. The remix focus is on the dysfunction around some of these unions. The halo around the child's head represents the innocence of the child. Featured are Bridget, Tom and Giselle, Michael Jackson, Angelia Jolie toting the tots, Britney Spears, Madonna and so on. You get the picture?

Original image: "First class seat", Macy's advertisement, Oprah Magazine, 2006, p. 57

Sheila

Natural Materials, Healthy Environment





I wanted to celebrate the wonders of nature and outdoors; walking, planting, enjoying the landscape of trees and gardens. I wanted to take out the watch from the previous picture and replace it with someone exercising and being in touch with nature. Also, you notice the woman who is walking has a smile on her face; the other one does not. I replaced her clothing with clothing made out of nature. It is important in saving our environment to use natural materials. Clothing, of natural materials, and walking outside creates a healthy individual and is better for the environment.

Original image: Oprah Magazine, May 2006, p. back cover

Karen Thompson