Canada to Colombia: a Cross-Continental Collaboration
Today's blog is the culmination of a really beautiful story of artistic coordination across languages and cultures, with the end goal of helping to spread the word about climate change and 350 through drawing and animation. Read Canadian Professor John Graham's description of the project below, and check out the animations as well!
While I was attending a 2008 summer self-directed residency at the Banff Centre in Canada, I met a Colombian filmmaker Eduardo Carrillo who suggested that his animation students of the University of the Andies in Bogota, Colombia and my Red Deer College drawing students of Alberta, Canada do an intercultural collaboration project. After being very moved by hearing Bill McKibben speak at the Banff Centre, I immediately decided that we should collectively assist 350.org in tackling the global warming issue.
During the 350 project, both the drawing and animation groups were very excited to meet and interact during a live intercontinental web conference. Even with the language obstacles, the exchange of information and ideas amongst the drawing students and animation students was spontaneous, candid, informative and friendly. During the development of the project, the RDC drawing students learned how to visualize and realize their 350 concepts as one-minute time-based motion pictures. They soon realized the challenges and complexity of how to shape their projects into potent forms of idea sharing and storytelling. Group brainstorming sessions and exhanges on the project blog site enriched the process. During the several in-progress critiques, the RDC students received valuable feedback from many sources. Students in both of the groups took remarkably personalized approaches in what they wanted to visually communicate.
The screening of the completed drawing/animation collaborations in the final drawing class yielded many exotic, unexpected and pleasant surprises and an impressive range of approaches. We all clearly noticed how each project had acquired a very different visual look and creative stance regarding the incredibly important and timely issue of global warming. The collaboration was a unique learning experience for all. I am grateful to all those that assisted in the realization of this complex project and that RDC was so supportive of this exciting project.
The Science of 350
Scientists say that 350 parts per million CO2 in the atmosphere is the safe limit for humanity. Learn more about 350 – what it means, where it came from, and how to get there. Read More »
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Understanding 350
- So, what is global warming and what's the problem anyway?
- And what does this 350 number even mean?
- If we're already past 350, are we all doomed?
- How do we create the political change to steer towards 350?
- How do we get the world on track to get to 350?
- How do we actually reduce carbon emissions to get to 350??
- Will this thing work? Will world leaders listen?
- Where did this 350 number come from?
- Isn't America the biggest source of the problem? What about China and India?
- 350 is just a number. Wouldn't "Climate Emergency" or "Clean Energy Now" be a better call to action?
- And what about all the other targets people are aiming for?
- Why October 24th?
- Why another organization--there are already too many things going on!
- Do you measure 350 in CO2 or CO2e?
More...
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350 Store
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