A Creative Environment: 6 Stories for Earth Day
Happy Earth Day! Since The Banff Centre is located in the middle of a national park, we take the environment pretty seriously. When speaking with a visiting guest or artist, inevitably the conversation turns to the landscape, and the natural beauty that surrounds our campus. It's something we want to preserve, so it's something we like to talk about. Here are some of our favourite environmentally-focused stories from The Banff Centre.
Three participants from the Literary Arts residency Frontline: Environmental Reportage met up with us to talk about the taking huge topics—like climate change, and coral reef erosion—and making them relatable to readers who may not be able to see their relevance.
Artist Tyler Burton wanted to use her work to comment on climate change, so she created ceramic sculptures full of ice and suspended them from the ceiling. As the ice melted, the sculptures fell to the ground and smashed. Tyler was at The Banff Centre as part of an independent Visual + Digital Arts residency. Read an article about Tyler and her work here.
Climber, writer and environmental activist Majka Burhardt spoke on our Basecamp podcast with host Brandon Pullan about her transition from rock and ice climber to environmental activist, and her fascination with what's beyond the climb.
Martin Lukacs is one of the authors of the Leap Manifesto, which according to the Globe and Mail is "a document that calls for a radical restructuring of the economy as Canada swiftly moves toward ending the use of fossil fuels." Martin was at The Banff Centre for the Literary Arts residency Frontline: Environmental Reportage. He answered some of our questions about the Leap Manifesto and what it could mean for Canada. Read that interview here.
Environmental journalist and writer Martin Lukacs
Photographer John Weller captured the raw beauty of Antarctica's Ross Sea, the last pristine ocean ecosystem on earth. His project, The Last Ocean, brings the need for increased marine protection into focus. John was at The Banff Centre for the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival. Watch a video about his project below.
Artist, photographer and documentary filmmaker Marten Berkman created a 3D video experience that places viewers in various parts of the Yukon's Peel Watershed. Marten wants the viewer to connect with nature in some way, and he hopes that his artwork encourages people to get outside and experience nature for themselves. Hart to Heart, was on display in The Project Space at the Walter Phillips Gallery during the 2015 Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival. Read an article about Marten and his work here.
Artist Marten Berkman and his work "Hart to Heart"
