Dry Riverbeds, Blue Tarps, and Satellite Photography
Thought you all might be interested in this, it’s an intriguing idea and these people are creating some beautiful and thought provoking artwork. On November 20-28, earth.350.org is coordinating a series of public art installations around the globe to illustrate how climate change is already impacting us all. The installations are large enough to be seen from space and are each being photographed by satellites and staged largely by volunteers. More details here: http://earth.350.org/press-room/
Of particular interest to us is the project that was staged in Santa Fe, New Mexico in which over a thousand volunteers stood in the dry Santa Fe riverbed holding blue cards, tarpaulins, and plastic, helping illustrate what the river would look like with water flowing through it. Some spectacular photographs of the event can be seen here, including the money shot – the satellite photo. http://earth.350.org/flash-flood/
The organizers do admit that art alone cannot solve climate and environmental problems, but they can foster awareness and catalyze a movement.
What could we do up here in the upper Mississippi River valley for a photograph from space? Perhaps fill reaches of the river with non-motorized watercraft to tap out a message in morse code? That may be a bit esoteric, nonetheless, it would be a wonderful day on the river.