"From Wasteland to Homeland"

My original image came from a magazine called All Animals and the article was about animal hoarding. In the image you see a dog before he was rescued with many other Cats, Dogs, Puppies, and Kittens. When I turned the page of the magazine my heart immediately sank into the pit of my stomach and all I wanted to do was find this dog, bring him home and give him a nice safe and comfortable place to live. I then came to me senses and told my self that if I did that than I would end up with too many dogs and would myself become an animal hoarder which would not be good for anyone involved.
Because I had such a strong reaction to the original image I decided to remix the image to give him a home and bring the image into a more positive light. If I had more time to finish the remixed image the image would have a much more "homey" quality but even as it ended up its a whole lot better than where it started out.

Original Image:
Artist: Carrie Allan; Title: "Rescued from Squalor"; Magazine: All Animals - July/August 2010 pg. 27

~Blaine Bacchiocchi~

What are we doing?

I am unsure what drew me to this image initially. It is very dark. Probably my most important thought is that "I'd like to hear what's going on. It feels like there is so much that I don't understand and I don't know how to educate myself on this without the media biases. For me there is a huge sense of hopelessness. A lot of blah, blah, blah....

Original Image: Newsweek, July 26,2010. Richard H. Haass, P32

Kristine Biegel

Designer Ora Ito's family room

This is a giraffe statue in Ora Ito's family room. I think it is a satire on the displacement of animals. It giraffe, usually found in hotter climates, is contrasted by the contemporary furniture. He looked like he was trying to get a drink. So, I converted the square couch in front of him into a watering hole, surrounded by flowers. I thought this gave him more of a natural setting.

Original Image: Interior Design (2010 number 8), cover page; Ora Ito's apartment

Alexis Schwede

Remixed Image

Original Image
On Earth magazine, page 52, summer 2010 issue

The original image I chose depicts a dried up, barren landscape. The dried earth is cracking and splitting with only two remaining specimens of plants growing from the ground. Due to rising global temperatures, the natural environment is changing. This image serves as a warning to what the landscape will look like if we as global citizens do not take responsibility for the ways in which we impact the environment.

According to an article from the summer 2010 issue of On Earth magazine, the number of people who believe that global warming is a hoax or is an exaggerated notion is on the rise. They do not believe that humans have been altering the atmosphere, contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer by unnatural processes. This is alarming since these people continue to destroy our natural environments by having this view.

The second image transforms the original desolate landscape into one that is lush with vegetation, water and wildlife. We need to work to protect and maintain the earth's natural environments and make smarter choices with regards to the global ecosystem for the future.

Original image: On Earth magazine, page 52, summer 2010 issue

Cheryl

Renewal of life

My image started out as an image of a woman surveying the damage left behind by a natural disaster. She is walking down a once tree and house lined street. I remixed the image so that it showed that same woman walking down the same street. The street was transformed into street surrounded by a lush and green wilderness with two mountain cottages on either side. It represents the fragility of human creations, life and the natural world. Many natural disasters are made worse and turn deadly due to human actions. Deforestation, dams and global warming all are to blame for the increased severity of "natural disasters".

Original Image from Sports Illustrated, July 2010, Salvation Army ad.

-Laura Sweeney

No longer extinct.

I chose the image of the very last dusky seaside sparrow (which died in 1995), preserved in formadehyde, lying in a jar. This sad yet beautiful specimen made me think of all of the different species whose habitats have been threatened (and, in some cases, destroyed) and their chances of survival diminished. In order to renew my sense of hope for those who have survived thus far, even if there are not many of them left, I have chosen to resurrect the dusky seaside sparrow. I gave him a sparkle in his once deadened eye and fluffy feathers to represent youth. The dusky seaside sparrow is no longer extinct.

Original image: National Geographic, January 2009, p.91

Zoë Wyner

Nature Cycle

My original image stood out to me because of two contrasting images within the photo. The first aspect that stood out was a man dressed in cycling clothes with his bicycle & the second aspect was the environment he was surrounded by. Some people may view these two images as related; however, the man in the photo did not look like he belonged in that environment, and that is what bothered me about the image.
Ideally, the man with his bicycle would feel "at one" with nature and he would be comfortable in his surroundings. In the original photo, my impression is that the man is intimidated by the environment and is therefore detached from it. In order to remedy the initial photo, I added colors & materials to the image that would make it seem like a flourishing environment that is welcoming & a place the man would be eager to explore. I also incorporated a bridge from the man down into the pit of the mountain to unite the two.
I completed my new image by cutting the outline of the man out of the image and making him more abstract to better fit into his new surroundings.

Original Image from Competitor Magazine, July 2010

Carolyn Hubbard

More, A Song

This image is idealistic. It shows a portrait of humans interacting with nature appropriately. The ships are peacefully sailing into the sunset as a seagull flies in the sky. However, the text has nothing to do with the environment. It is an advertisement for vacationing in Key West. In my remix, I attempted to isolate key words from the text to reshape what the image actually portrays. I changed the words to read, " more a song. quintessential state of being." The relationship between human beings and the environment should be more like a song, where all the notes should fit together to create something beautiful. I wanted the image to look like fantasy. In many cases, people are able to interact with the environment peacefully and appropriately. However, given what is happening not so far from Key West right now in the Gulf of Mexico. I thought it fitting to portray this image as a fantasy. Something that people can and should hope to achieve. I want this image to remind people that the relationship between humans and nature is an important one. Human beings need to get back to basics and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. We need to be kind to the world we have. Sail peacefully while a seagull flies overhead.

Original Image: Coastal Living, September 2009, pg 103

Shannon

Bee Committed...The Plight of the Bumblebee

I saw a honeybee in my parent's backyard a few weeks ago and swatted at it thinking it was a hornet. My three year old niece screamed "Aunty No! Honeybees are endangered!" Shocked that she knew what the word "endangered" meant and that honeybees were in peril, I asked her more. She explained she learned about them at school and how it was important to save them. After my fascinating conversation with my favorite 3 year old naturalist, I was curious to find out more. How does she know more about this than I do? For some particular reason unknown to scientists, the population of honeybees has plummeted. People may not realize this "pest" is responsible for fertilizing 1/3 of the food we eat. For my remix image I used the honeycomb and turned it into the "HoneyBee Haven" to represent the importance of giving safe places for honeybees to live and rebuild their population. I used images of food (some may not all be fertilized by honeybees, but you get the idea) and turned them into honeybees to represent the idea that they are responsible for so many of our natural food resources.

Original Image: Hannaford Fresh Magazine, May/June 2010, pg. 8

Leslie

Washed Away

Images of consumerism are subsumed by images of nature - just as our physical bodies will one day become a part of nature. However, the many of the products we manufacture today will continue to exist long after our bodies are gone. Some human made plastics and polymers will never break down to their component chemicals, and will remain a part of our world even centuries in the future. I remixed a high fashion advertisement. The photographer used a model against the backdrop of a beach to display an assortment of accessories. I removed the models body and covered it over with a beach landscape, leaving only the synthetic products and seashells behind.

Original Image: TUMI advertisement, Vanity Fair, September 2007

Loren

"Greener Pastures"

The picture I chose to remix originally depicted a man scavenging through the rubble of an old factory in China. What angered me about this particular picture was that the smoke stacks were polluting what should have been a beautiful blue sky in the background and the fact that the snow covered rubble seemed to have been there for ages. I wanted to change the picture by recreating the rubble covered land into a green recreational area where animals and people could spend their days. I also tried to use landscaping of taller trees to mask the smoke stacks in the distance. The man originally in the picture was also changed from scavenging through the rubble with a metal detector to playing in the happier surrounding with his dog.

Meghan

Picture found in:
Smithsonian Magazine
May 2006
Page 47

"Life Returned"

Andrew Wyeth's "Airborne" is a beautiful picture, however, while looking at it I get a very empty feeling. It seems as though everyone has deserted this land, animals and plant-life included. I decided that I needed to bring the life back into this picture. I included a beautiful pink colored sky with a blue ocean, and trees that weren't there to begin with. Also, I included the birds whose feathers has littered the land. Even though this may not be a project that I could undertake on my own, creating this piece of art made me hopeful that one day someone could.

Original image: Andrew Wyeth, "Airborne" Smithsonian Magazine, June 2006, Pg. 91

Kelci

Office Space

The original image I chose showed e-waste discarded carelessly and reminded me not only of all the personal electronic products that we create and discard, but also about general consumerism and resource use. We are not always mindful of how we use/consume resources and then discard them. With the constant development of new technology, electronic devices are often discarded and upgraded. The article accompaning this image explained that this e-waste, which was mostly generated in the US, was sent to Ghana ~ where it hardly seems like it's being disposed of properly. I added images of businessmen into this landscape, inviting them to interact with the environment that their technology usage has helped create. Perhaps greater awareness of just what happens to all of the gadgets and devices we discard may lead to more thoughtful consumer behavior.

Original image from National Geographic, January 2008, pg 64

Jennifer Shaby

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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