The
objective of the Economic Plant and Pollinator series in progress is
to show the importance of plants and their pollinators in numerous
ways. I use the term economic to encompass food, spice/herb, and
fodder including plant resins, timber or medicinal.
Development of this traveling show started in 2005. The project is
to create artwork, storyboards and narratives for 36 economic
important plants and pollinators. To date 312 plant-pollinator
possibilities identified; 44 plants were researched into files; 7
sources are incorporated into the plant selection; 16 art works are
in progress; 3 story boards complete and 5 narratives complete. To
show these efforts see completed work in the portfolio section of
this site.
Research papers are invaluable to this project. I am blessed
with helpful individuals that I contact. In addition, individuals
from two organizations have extended support of research and plant
selection. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations, US Fish & Wildlife Service and the North American
Pollinator Protection Campaign go to my friends page to link with
the websites.
My thought process in selection:
- Encompass both longitude and latitude
around the world
- Plant origin reflecting distribution
- Available research, natural pollination
and seed dispersal
- Diversity in pollination i.e. Bee, Bat,
Butterfly, Moth, Beetle, Bird, Fly, Water or Wind
- Diversity in plant families including
systematics
- Human history including use, cultivation
or breeding
- Co-evolution connection
Questions I ask while formulating the
narrative
- What plant takes full circle,
Environment, Plant, Pollinator, Seed disperser, Man
- Is the pollinator a generalist,
specialist or a naturally evolved shift from environmental
pressures
- If field observation arrives at different
pollinators are they from the same tribe or is the flower
morphology better suited to one pollinator
- Does man rely on native pollinators to
produce mass quantities, overpopulate the crop or hand pollinate
To find simplicity through this complication I
see two avenues that may appeal to the public. One is economics and
the other distribution by man.
- Economically speaking prehistoric
civilizations began cultivating plants. Many cultivation
practices of old are still in use today. Many plant parts or
produced items were a form of currency. The end result, plant
and pollinator have strength in the current economy.
- Distribution is as well important in that
I may be able to tie native people’s cultivation practices to
modern day practices. Continental drift theory and exploration
play a role in distribution.
I am seeking venues to fund the project and
show original or reproduction of completed works. Grant funds would
assist this project to find reality. Contact to request my funding
proposal. Show sites include botanical garden, arboretum, library,
museum and sculpture garden. Products that an organization would
share in the proceeds include reprints, books, cards or 3d objects.
On my wish list is a self-guided audio tour. If you would like to be
a part of this project with funding, as a show location or expert
contact me.
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