Brief over view of project

Poster for MA Show

The Poster used for the end of project show at University Lincoln.

MA studio in Design end of Degree Show June 2019.

Ecology Evolution Project

My project is about green issues, I have choice to develop my own inks for printing and have experimented with dying fabrics to find the right pigments using natural resources. This idea has come from the need for eco conscious values to be embedded into my art work.

The objective for my art work is to encourage social impact in regard to ecology issues linked to our depleting natural world within our oceans and more specifically protecting Antartica. My point has been to use visuals to encourage consumers and viewers to seek a deeper understanding of their own carbon foot print and to change their consumer behaviour to use less single use plastics.

The main issue I have decided to use within my set work is the current climate change emergency and have choicen a Green Peace Campaign ”Antarctica Ocean Santuary”

Imagery has been based around oceans and the need to save the worlds ecology and especially the need to reduce single use plastics.

I am hoping to encourage green living and to awaken the need to protect Antarctica via the need for everyone to consider their own carbon footprint and reduce their single use plastic purchases.

I have chosen a blog to record all my developments of which print making has been my main area of interest. The blog has been converted into a book which has become the main focus of my project showing my design journey in a comprehensive format.

Book conversion from my blog.(naturesarmour.blogdpot.com)

Side view of blog to book .MA Journals:Ecology Evolution.

Inside cover of MA Journals: Ecology Evolution.

Inside of MA Journals:Ecology Evolution 

Journal pages showing sketches :design developments.

Inside pages of blog to book conversion.

MA Journal : Ecology Evolution showing publishing lay out.

MA Journals Ecology Evolution : Printing developments.

I have used natural resources in my work and believe if a product can return to the earth without too much pollution ie compostable materials, then it’s a lot less environmentally destructive than man made plastics which take hundreds of years to decompose.

My MA project is about looking at how natural resources are depleting and how ecology is developing in order to create a better future for our planet and how traditional art can be intergrated within digital technology to create new imagery that encourages consumers to think in a more eco conscious value and by doing this can help with the reduction of carbon emissions to draw down climate change to save Antarctica from disappearing.

Eco Evo:Green Issues

Images of MA Show and MA Journal.

By Victoria Meadows

MA Design : Dissertation 

                                              History of Conservation of Nature

The beginning of conservation and respect for nature can be seen through history starting from early history of mankind when nature’s wildlife and seasons were incorporated into early religions i.e Sun gods, sacrifices to improve weather changes and harvests. Customs and ancient ceremonies to pay homage to the earth’s natural surroundings can be seen through different cultures around the world.

Specific laws were created in medieval times to protect woodland for the pleasure of nobility and royals. After the Norman conquest large areas of land were annexed using forest laws.

Some of the first conservation areas of the early medieval period were granted mainly so that landowners and royalty could hunt freely. Knowing there would not be any depletion of game in their private woods by making it illegal to poach on the kings lands

Forest laws were extended in the 18^th century called the black law, hanging people for encroaching on to Royal hunting grounds. These laws extended to overseas colonies of which the remnants are used to create conservation areas today. Re wilding is a relatively old theory which is being used today to create new Natural areas of land to help reach  drawdown to prevent global warming

Conservation needs of today go far more than previously has ever seen. Individuals can become a movement of people activism, campaigning and demanding change through group discussions and using the world web. I have challenged this theory through my blog "NaturesArmour,blogspot.com and through my dissemination I added my blog to social media, it is also currently life on line. I have received enough feedback to increase my page reviews by adding to community blogsites to increase awareness of climate change, lifestyle choices and green design strategies within design.

                                 Environmental Impact of Humans

Historically humans have been having an impact on our environment since evolution evolved our planet and homo Sapiens became the super power race against most predators. When as hunters and gathers humans started to farm and domesticate animals we can see climate change being effected by mankind’s lifestyle. 

During the late 19^th century within Industrial Revolution a number of Artists and critics voiced their concerns. In regard to pollution. (“If only the geologists would let me alone, I could do very well, but those dreadful Hammer’s! I hear the dink of them at the end of every cadence of the Bible verses”.(John Ruskin, letter to Henry Acland 1851).

 As the textile designer, poet and social activist William Morris explains the need that "Nature and History Morris asserted were, or at least ought to be, the two great teachers of mankind. This statement shows in part Morris's environmentist values and is connected to the pre-Raphaelite art movement that includes the aesthetic movement. His hatred for the industrial revolution is well documented. When researching textile history we can see great changes during the industrial revolution created by Britain's technical innovations resulting in social change.

                                          

        Textile Technologies/Handmade

 Within the twentieth and twenty-first century we are seeing new transformations of design, manufacture and consumer interaction. As it is explained in The Handbook of Textile Culture "In  a post-industrial culture the artisanal, material cultures once marginalized as lacking the authority of symbolic meaning, or the capacity for abstract thinking, are becoming reconsidered as a source of knowledge. Integrating the techne-technique and technologies of manufacturer by hand and machine". A new collaboration of the old and the new, techniques, philosophies and theories of knowledge. 

                                  

        Design Choices and Lifestyle Issues

“The Romantic movement which included aestheticism were protesting over the destruction of idyllic rural life for a world of dark Satanic Mills written in William Blake’s 1804 poem.” (Lewis and Maslin.2018.206). One of the earliest environmental needs based action campaigns was created by the artist/poet Sir William Blake. He started an organization called the coal smoke abatement society which was founded in Richmond in 1898 which resulted in the smoke abatement Act including soot, ash and gritty particles.

Another well known campaign that ended in a riot was in Nottinghamshire when “artisanal textile workers broke machines to defend their wages against further declines. Known as the Luddites they began in Arnold, Nottingham, on 11^th March 1811, with over two thousand people marching and then smashing sixty-eight spinning frames”.(Lewis and Maslin,2018.206). 

Scientific revolution sprung into the new industrial world. An example of this is when in 1824 Joseph Aspdin patented a chemical process known as Portland cement which has since revolutionized building techniques. Electricity, the invention of the light bulb and the use of fossil fuels have contributed to today’s global warming.

A lot of new knowledge came out of the 19^th century including Darwin’s theory of evolution which set religious philosophy against scientists in fact Darwin did not publish his papers due to concerns via ridicule from religious leaders.

"In their seminal work, Cloth and Human Experience, Weiner and Schneider(1991) remark that 'complex' moral and sexuality, find ready expression through cloth. Indeed they argue, 'cloth has further organizational of social and political life', evoking ideas of tying or bringing together many different kinds of publics whether through the banners of the Suffragettes and Trade Unions or the wrapping of the fences at Greenham Common, or the laying down of Aids quilt or through addressing issues and relations that are not pre-given through kinship but are produced in gatherings and cooperations." (Jefferies.J.Wood Conroy.D.Clark.H(2018)The hand book of textile Culture.Bloomsbury.)

              

                                   Carbon Dioxide Spike

 Scientists are working across the globe

 researching how environmental strategies across the globe are being carried out in order to keep current and develop new emerging  techniques to reverse global warming. 

http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence(14.08.2019 3.00pm)this graph is based on the comparison of atmospheric samples contained in ice cores and more recent direct measurements, provides evidence that atmospheric C02, has increased since the industrial revolution.

   Ocean Theme

Oceans and sea creatures have been depicted within art and design since ancient Greeks and Romans and other ancient cultures, tribes and religions. I have chosen to use oceans, wildlife, natural flora, nautical imagery as my focus in order to improve knowledge of conservation and marine ecology of our oceans. The oceans contain a huge variety of life recent estimations conclude their are up to 2 million species found in and around coral reefs, the sea produces around half of all oxygen we breath( thanks to phytoplankton, tiny single cell ocean plants). The ocean also sequences large amounts of dangerous carbon dioxide. The ocean regulates our climate, cool waters soak up heat from the sun, they are a big part of our life support system. It is estimated that that 8 million tonnes of plastic waste is dumped in our oceans and it is set to double by 2025

Environmentalists

Ocean biologist Jacque Cousteau (1910-1997) was an inspiration when I was growing up and also for many people interested in ocean environmental and conservation issues.

Recently Jaques Cousteau’s grandson has been part of a series of documentaries highlighting environmental and conservation issues of our planets oceans. He specializes in oceanography which is looking into scientific aspects of our oceans to better understand what is happening due to pollution and global warming issues.

His grandson has recently also highlighted concerns in regard to melting ice gaps in Antarctica and has explained present forecasts are not accurate.

This graph by Nasa on line shows up to date figures going back to 1979.

                  

                                                                A clip from CNN News on Jacque Cousteau

Eco Printing Ink

Squeezy showing ink consistency.

Mini screen used for fabric swatches for eco ink developments.

            Ecology Evolution 

A brief section taken from my journal to explain some of the project concerns and issues I have been developing as part of my dissemination review.

The eco ink I have been developing needs a bit more developing. On small prints it works great on larger areas it tends to fade in areas. Therefore it’s not as coherent as I would expect. The up side to this is that it may well be a consistency problem which is easily fixed, more seaweed extract when being made. It could do with being less runny, it would make printing easier as well. I have added made two fade as part of the wearing scheme for this product as is the case for indigo denim jeans, wearing and fading is part of the products nature.

Indigo eco ink print ,hand made ink.

eco ink showing printing errors, rippling of fabric

Slightly un even, could be that the fabric was a bit creased more weight could have been used. However a thicker consistency of ink may well correct this problem.

The current alternative would be to buy eco printing ink and process designs this way until a better hand made ink is finalised. 

Eco ink purchased on line.

Eco ink which I have purchased as an alternative currently while I develop my own printing ink to a standard that would work on larger prints.

Undyed linen sample showing faded out effect of dye.

3 machine washes, this has faded the most likely due to the weave.

Calico 3 washes has stayed fixed the best out of all the samples.

Linen Tote bag

Linen tote bag small with pom poms.

 lining onside panels needs dark pattern extended.

undyed calico Tote bag.

Large linen tote bag.

Inside I have printed carbon footprint fabric. The side panels would need to have a longer strip of dark repeat due to the 3d element of the design requiring more repeat so that it follows the same length to create a straight line of print instead of it staggering .

Commercial wall papers.

Commercial wall papers for promoting the protection of Antarctica.

Commercial wall paper to create a value in regard to green issues and how to make a difference to protect Antartica by reducing climate change by changing life styles to encourage the reduction in single use plastics and other reducing and saving measures within individual lives.

These wall papers are designed for campaign office for climate change, libraries, schools colleges, universities and retail outlets ie coffee shops and cinemas.
The wall papers could also be used in marketing campaigns to promote eco evo products.

Carbon footprint wall paper

Ecology News reviews On the Planets Health.

The Royal Families Commitment to Climate Change Issues.

The Royal family including the Queen and Prince Charles and his sons have been campaigning for environmental issues across the global for decades. The Queen has launched her Tree Canopy Trust were by she has pledged to plant numerous amounts of new forests across the globe. Charles and his sons have been campaigning for environmental issues also for many decades. 

A recent book I have been reading has a printed letter from Prince Charles giving more detail in regard for his views and ambitions for the reversal of green house gases. The book is called Drawdown The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed To Reverse Global Warming  Edited by Paul Hawken published by Penguin Books. Anyone who is wanting to understand global warming needs to read this.

The following article was recently published

Indeed, Prince Charles is known for addressing environmental issues, including global warming, sustainability and ocean pollution.

His passion for raising awareness for the issues has obviously rubbed off on his sons, with Prince Charles and Prince Harry joining forces to attend the future king’s International Sustainability Unit’s meeting in February this year.

Prince Charles spoke at length about the threat coral reef faces and the impact climate change will have on future generations.

“It is a common phrase now that rather than borrowing our present from future generations, we are stealing it.,” the Prince said at the event.

“Well, the speed of the ecological marine cataclysm that we have engendered is such that not only will our children be faced with the monochrome legacy of the graveyard of destroyed reefs and the collapse of marine biodiversity, but the majority of us alive today will stand witness to the process.”

Prince Charles delivers a speech about the ‘nightmare’ of plastic waste in January (Getty)

Last year, Prince William warned that overpopulation is ruining the natural environment by putting wildlife under ‘enormous pressure’.

The prince is also patron of The Tusk Trust, which aims to protect African wildlife.

“We are going to have to work much harder, and think much deeper, if we are to ensure that human beings and the other species of animal with which we share this planet can continue to co-exist,” the prince told an audience at The Roundhouse in London, according to Business Insider.

(https://uk.style.yahoo.com/prince-harry-reveals-teased-school-habit-prince-charles-taught-102500517.html5.00pm  accessed on 6.11.18)