HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF ECO-ART WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS:
Web of Life Theater: Here is an art experience that will
directly open people to environmental and planetary needs. Here is a brief out-line:
First through meditation and/or walking in nature, suggest people allow an animal,
plant ortree, any living creature, even a blade of grass to come to them; or it could
be a river, mountain, any body of land or water. Then people are encouraged to
paint the image on large paper in its surroundings and details. Next we witness
each person shape-shift/embody their painting, allowing movement and sounds
to come from the painting. Then we ask each image to speak, tell their story, if
they were suffering and what they needed. The wolf might say he was
misunderstood in his wolf voice and full expression. Then each person would
make a costume and mask of their animal or location.
Next, the different creatures and geographic areas in the room might interact
with each other. The group will witness the wolf, rabbit and forest improvise
their interaction. After witnessing each others’ small group improvisations, all
the small groups together create a blended theater piece (using the paintings
as background scenery). This “Web of life” theater piece can then be reenacted
for an outside audience who further interact with the piece as it evolves…so each
time it will be different. This can be videoed (even on someone’s cell phone)
and shown in schools or posted on YouTube for the whole world to be inspired.
Send pictures to your local media. This is how the Re-Enchantment of the world
works. Who knows where it will go from there?
Finding Your Earth Guide: Do a guided meditation with a group before
painting, asking for your Earth Guide to come to you. Then everybody paints.
The guide may come in any form, we don’t know. As each person is ready, the
painter is witnessed embodying the image of their Earth Guide and then the
image is asked questions. First, What is your name? Then questions like, what
is your message for me, how can I serve you? What is my work? If you don’t understand
or don’t know where you will get the money or supplies, ask your guide
these questions. Keep seeking the council of your Guide. The other Embodied
guides in the room can begin to talk and confer with each other, like a council
of Goddesses/Gods on Mt. Olympus, making some important suggestions and
decisions for new projects and action. As I have been saying, it’s time to work
together, collaborate. Amazing what you will all manifest for yourself, each other
and the group.
Community Art Events:
You can combine a community art event with ecological
clean up of a vacant lot or river bed. Using discarded items make a community
sculpture, a story or a book. Make a community mosaic with broken pottery and
glass. Who knows were it will lead? Offer creative opportunities wherever you
are. Carry paper and crayons with you, rattles and tambourines too. Play with
whomever will play with you. People will join in.
Earth Art Day, Citywide, Nationwide or Worldwide: I had this idea of
a day to celebrate the earth, healing our world/ healing our people with Art.
Use art, dance, theater, poems, paintings, clay, music as Rituals for healing the
environment. Using art modalities make an art blessing all over town for our
Earth. Designate a day when every-body practices art, group murals, poetry
workshops, dance and music events, all with audience participation honoring the
Earth, like a Big Mardi Gras or Halloween Parade. Have local churches involved.
Call on local native tribes to officiate with their traditional blessings. Get local
media involved. This sounds like Bali, one day a year. It’s a beginning.