Context
In the first semester of the final year of MYP, AISB's 10th-grade Visual Arts students were asked to research numerous art movements such as: Pop Art, Fauvism, Cubism, German expressionism, Dadaism, Surrealism, and Abstract expressionism. The students were tasked to find out how these art movements were created, what historical events were occurring during the time of their formation, what the purpose of the art movements was, and the impacts they had globally. Next, they were asked to research global issues they are interested in, and create an artwork in the style of their favorite art movement to convey the significance of the issues they chose. The students were assigned to address and connect to the statement of inquiry: "Time and culture influence perspectives and aesthetics"
Explaining My Artwork
The artwork exhibited showcases the phenomenon of coral bleaching, its significance and devastation on our marine ecosystems, and the perpetrators behind the issue aforementioned. The scuba diving mask and footwear subtly hint at the fact that the human race is the one behind the exacerbation of global warming. Global warming has resulted in our oceans heating up, creating an intolerable environment for our corals to survive in. A lack of corals (which are a predominant food source for our marine species), entails the starvation of our beloved sea friends, hence puncturing the tourism sector in the regions in which these corals originated from. The plethora of colors pursued by the numerous corals visible in the work showcase the spread of coral bleaching and its effects on the coral population alone. Corals which are predominantly white have already been subject to bleaching, creating a contrast with the vibrant, healthy corals full of life. The bleached corals are outlined in gold and copper to represent the environment as our planet’s treasure which we are destroying, making it lose its value (this justifies why the gold turns into copper for the corals bleached for a prolonged period of time and not helped or salvaged by the human race). Refusing to prevent coral bleaching and to restore corals affected, will increase the number of species at risk of extinction. I have chosen to pursue the Pop Art style because deciphering the meaning behind artworks in this movement is efficient. I want the message behind my artwork to be clearly understood, so that conversations surrounding it are ignited and the issue of coral bleaching is tackled. The Pop Art style can be identified in the use of benday dots on the corals, and the graphic outline around each and every element, representing the comic book style.
More Facts About Coral Bleaching
"When corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients, they expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn completely white."
"In 2005, the U.S. lost half of its coral reefs in the Caribbean in one year due to a massive bleaching event. The warm waters centered around the northern Antilles near the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico expanded southward. Comparison of satellite data from the previous 20 years confirmed that thermal stress from the 2005 event was greater than the previous 20 years combined."
Credits to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the infographic displayed above
Great Barrier Reef Foundation:
Factors of Coral Bleaching:
1. "Rising ocean temperatures caused by climate change is the primary cause of coral bleaching."
2. "A temperature increase of just one degree Celsius for only four weeks can trigger bleaching."
3. "Changes in water quality, increased sun exposure, and extremely low tides can also cause corals to bleach."
Addressing misconceptions:
"During bleaching corals become transparent, revealing their white skeletons."
"Bleached corals are not dead, but are more at risk of starvation and disease."
"As climate change causes ocean temperatures to rise, marine heatwaves and associated coral bleaching events are becoming more frequent and severe, and the Reef’s natural recovery processes are unable to keep up."
What We Can Do To Help:
"We need urgent action on climate change to drastically reduce global emissions, but this alone is not enough. Action on climate change requires a dual effort to protect our reefs. While the world works towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we must make coral reefs more resilient and help them adapt to the warmer temperatures already caused by climate change."
Why Turn To Artistic Outlets?
As cliché as it sounds, art is a form of expression. Whether it be music, poetry, or tangible artworks (like the one exhibited at the top of this article), these mediums act as a fuel for brilliant minds wishing to share an idea or statement with the world.
What's fascinating about art is that one can convey their message subtly, without facing criticism, because their message is difficult to decipher.
It goes without saying that art is pleasing to the eye, and without art, our world would suffer greatly from dullness.
Art embraces the "weird" and all personalities, allowing any and all individuals to be shamelessly authentic. This is wonderful because it encourages diversity and inclusion, 2 elements our society needs in order to thrive.
Art is my preferred manner to raise awareness about pressing issues, which is why I created Wholesome. Here I can express myself through my opinion editorials, photo essays, creative writing pieces, and digital and tangible artwork, to name a few categories.
I hope that more individuals who strive to create a more empathetic, compassionate, open-minded, and safe society will share their voices with the world. Only in this way, our society can efficiently tackle weighty and consequential issues that can affect populations around the globe. 🌍
I really hope you enjoyed this article, and if you did I would love to see what feedback you have for me! Please leave me a comment at the end of this article to let me know what you think, and thank you to those of you who have already shared your thoughts with me via the comment feature or privately.
Sending virtual hugs and lots of happiness your way! 🧸 🌻 🤪
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