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Last half of book

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First half of book

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Making backdrop process:

We found used materials in and around design classes to create this backdrop. During the making process we discovered ways to make platforms for our trash animals so the backdrop could become interactive. We created a snow mountain, forest mountain, beach and sky for all the animals to be placed in. The dead branches placed on there were to add elements of the natural ecology around us. Lastly we added the plastic bag filled with trashed to enhance our pollution message before deciding where to do our performance. We decided either in the main quad or in the classroom would be most effective.

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ASSESSMENT REFLECTION - For Every Animal A Better World

“For Every Animal A Better World” is a childrens’ book exploring the negative effect of pollution on animals and their habitats. The creatures featured in the book are made from recycled or discarded materials, and they are accompanied by short poems that convey information regarding how they are affected by different types of pollution, for example light, plastic or oil.

Our assessment revolves around the week three class topic of ecologies. We wanted to explore how ecologies are represented in art and design and create a work that highlighted relevant environmental issues. We settled on the topic of pollution and its effect on animals fairly quickly as we all agreed it was a problem we want to bring more attention to.

We started this assessment with a very different idea. Our original approach was to design and organise a class activity in the form of a trash treasure hunt. This idea, however, proved to be too simple therefore we discarded it.

Through experimentation with creating creatures out of rubbish and the research of artists who use similar materials in their works, the idea formed to create a childrens’ book; the trash animals were cartoon-like and reminiscent of toys or characters in children’s literature or television.

The title of the book came about by re-wording an existing children’s book entitled “For Every Child A Better World” which revolves around human rights.

To create images for the book, we each created two animals out of rubbish took photographs of them. They were then isolated on photoshop and placed on top of two images of their habitat; one polluted and one undisturbed.

We played further into the child-like aesthetic by creating rhyming text to go along with the images. After researching our respective animals we could write poems that were simplistic but informative for the target audience.

As we decided on this concept with limited time left, we unfortunately couldn’t make the book entirely out of recycled materials like we had planned. If this were possible we would have had it printed entirely on recycled paper, or possibly even made it completely by hand. Nevertheless, the end product looks professional and is well-made.

The presentation part of the assessment was very successful. We created a backdrop for our animals out of discarded classroom materials and had it behind us as we read the book to the class. The feedback was overall positive and it was interesting to gage everyone’s reactions to the book reading; many found it patronising as it was read in a tone often directed towards children (a this was essentially the whole point of the book).

As a group we are happy with how everything turned out and believe we have successfully covered the topic of ecologies in an interesting and engaging manner.

References:

B McNally, E Weiss and L Gikow, For Every Child A Better World, 1993, 

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Artist inspiration: Jeannie Baker

Baker creates children’s books using a combination of natural and artificial materials for the pages. She tries to use actual materials from the objects portrayed such as bark, feathers and earth. She initially had problems using plants as the material wouldn’t last but she found a way to preserve them and add permanent colour. Using natural materials gives the pages a natural texture and makes it an integral part of the work. 

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Pollution animal research

We each researched our respective animals in terms of how they and their habitat are affected by pollution. This information was then written in the form of rhyming text that goes along with each animal and explains how their livelihood is impacted by pollution in a manner that is easy for a child to understand.

Types of pollution:

https://sciencing.com/pollutions-effects-animals-5292091.html?fbclid=IwAR0oZCVamaks0BoSgMsO5j93g_dJ7R1ROsurDyb_b5kYEPx6FmQLaEvkFxg 

Air pollution/acid rain:

http://www.air-quality.org.uk/17.php 

https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/08/science/08frog.html 

Plastic pollution:

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-plastic-pollution.php?fbclid=IwAR2GlrGIsW-Yho8__f7lx_B_KWWY9Biw-aOhmVXNWpidTYc832yYnHeUIR0

Polar bear:

http://sciencenordic.com/chemical-pollution-causing-brain-damage-polar-bears?fbclid=IwAR0YqqpHQIBvYkG1CpTt_U7cTeurKQJB7OfBuHZHsIybOk3eGaFBcVxAdVc

Sea otter:

https://defenders.org/sea-otter/threats?fbclid=IwAR38PZyriWPQDcw_MRgvODkSeDDjniLW6nYYWFOH9aFBKZPl1qWytw3qgiM

Sea turtles/light pollution:

https://conserveturtles.org/information-sea-turtles-threats-artificial-lighting/?fbclid=IwAR2v636sTMkfXwcWfdQwoBJDg3I9_RseIw02nj0rFpjuqpswyZYzUFZpj0w

https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2016/05/light-pollution-is-confusing-baby-sea-turtles/?fbclid=IwAR2v636sTMkfXwcWfdQwoBJDg3I9_RseIw02nj0rFpjuqpswyZYzUFZpj0w

Sea birds/plastic consumption

https://theconversation.com/the-oceans-are-full-of-plastic-but-why-do-seabirds-eat-it-68110

Birds/deforestation:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/09/news-macaw-extinct-bird-species-deforestation/?user.testname=none

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ARTIST RESEARCH/INSPIRATION: Rodney “Rodrigo” McCoubrey

“My resources remain readily available, from dumpsters to roadsides, empty lots to my most favourite of all, Baja California dumpsites (every town has at least one!)”

Upon discovering a trash-covered beach in Baja, McCoubrey combined his talent for art and passion for the ocean to create works made entirely from recycled materials. His sculptures take a wide range of forms, however the most significant of these are birds and fish, two of the most highly affected animals in regards to pollution. He uses bright, somewhat garish colours and creates odd-looking creatures by gluing or even melting the waste together. His works are really interesting to look at due to their multi-textured appearance. 

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ARTIST RESEARCH/INSPIRATION: Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax

Dr. Seuss has the ability to create an engaging story about important issues that can often be dull to discuss. He makes it easy for children to understand what is happening and evokes in his readers a desire to change for the better. The Lorax covers the environmental issue of logging and the danger corporate greed poses to nature. Seuss uses make-believe worlds and nonsense words to speak about real issues, and the vivid colour palette of the book draws the reader in visually. His signature rhyming technique is what inspired us most, as we have decided to incorporate simple poetry into our book as it appeals to children. 

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ARTIST RESEARCH/INSPIRATION: Yuken Teruya, Corner Forest (2003-09)

“Toilet rolls sprouting and spreading branches are installed to a wall to create a forest. There is a moment when the cut-out branches and leaves start holding themselves up with their own strength. It is as if I am helping the paper awakens its ability to come to life.”

This work conveys the strength of nature despite being faced with an ever-growing consumerism of man-made materials. Teruya explores the depletion of natural resources and the threat modern society poses to earth’s fragile ecosystems. 

The delicate, intricate shapes formed in the work are really beautiful and the whole work has a very mesmerising effect. Teruya’s use of toilet rolls is particularly relevant for inspiration as this is a recycled material; if he had used new cardboard or paper the work would not have the same effect or send the same message.

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Artist inspiration: Jeannie Baker

Baker creates children’s books using a combination of natural and artificial materials for the pages. She tries to use actual materials from the objects portrayed such as bark, feathers and earth. She initially had problems using plants as the material wouldn’t last but she found a way to preserve them and add permanent colour. Using natural materials gives the pages a natural texture and makes it an integral part of the work. 

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ARTIST RESEARCH/INSPIRATION - Michelle Reader’s Sculptures

Reader creates recycled sculptures and art using waste materials. A lot of her works take their forms from the natural world, highlighting the effect of man on the environment in an age of mass consumption. Reader selects materials based on their colour, shape and texture; for example, the spots on the jaguar sculpture are made from deconstructed remote controls, and old electrical wire can become plant stems and branches. The results are really detailed and intricate due to the wide range of discarded materials used in each piece, and each sculpture is unique in terms of its shape and composition. 

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Artist inspiration: For Every Child A Better World by Kermit the Frog

The book, which is narrated by Kermit the Frog, talks about the rights that children have. These include the rights to food, clean world and to grow up in a healthy and safe environment. The book was inspired by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. 

We used this as inspiration for our book, but instead focused on the rights animals should have and how this is abused by humans through pollution. 

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Artist Inspiration: Thats Why We Dont Eat Animals by Ruby Roth

Ruby Roth’s book looks at the relationship between humans and animals and introduces vegeterianism and veganism in the form of a picture book for a younger audience. The book aims to educate kids about animal activism and make kids think about the similarities between humans and animals, such as emotions and pain. Through this it is able to make children think about animals in a compassionate way and realise that they need to be loved and cared for just like humans. The message behind the book aims to educate the younger generation about veganism and the issues surrounding humans using animals as food. 

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Artist Inspiration: Ptolemy Elrington

Elrington’s work focuses on creating sculpture in natural forms from found and re-cycled materials. He uses these materials to create sculptures of animals. Known as ‘hubcap creatures’, the materials used are often found on the side of the road, meaning they usually have scratches or marks on them. The marks tell a story about each material and its history from their previous owner. The materials used are often parts of cars as these are common materials to find on the side of a road. 

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Artist Inspiration: Olafur Eliasson

Eliasson’s work focuses on trying to make the world a better place, by asking viewers to think about how they play a role in globalisation and environmentalism. His work aims to challenge the way we inhabit the world and encourage creative thinking in the people that view it. It tries to focus less on the issues of today and more on the overarching concerns of moving towards a more humanitarian future. 

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Using the rubbish we had in our homes, Hannah and I created an animal each. They weren’t realistic and had a patchy cartoon look. This reminded us of the animations within children’s books.

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Group: Amelia, Hannah, Issy & Bronte

Decided on the theme of ecologies.

Photos taken of ecologies and the rubbish found in it. The small unnoticed waste laying around is barely visible against the dirt ground. Showing how well man made objects blend to the natural world.