Earth Day is this Thursday, April 22, and this piece by Lynn Aldrich feels like a fitting companion as we explore our relationship to this planet we call home. To create this sculpture, Aldrich bent, cut, and linked everyday cleaning tools, shaping them into representations of vibrant sea creatures. Biophilia is both fun and serious, suggesting a joyful “love of life” as well as a sharp critique of how human waste harms marine ecosystems. We invite you to spend some time writing alongside this piece, and seeing how it might help bring additional appreciation or insight into the natural world around you, and how our daily consumption affects it. Aldrich will give a free, public talk Earth Day: Wonder and Affection for Our Rare Planet via Zoom this Thursday, April 22 at 7 p.m. PT. Follow the link to register.
We have 2 prompts to help you get started. As always, you can use one, both, or write whatever else comes. Just set a timer for 10 minutes and keep your pen or pencil moving.
In the coral reef… / Dear sponges…
Writing in community is powerful. We are grateful to our longtime partner Write Around Portland for the writing prompts and inspiration. You can revisit past posts in the PAM+NWFC blog and look for new posts every Sunday. Please share your work with us! @writearoundpdx @portlandartmuseum #RespectWritingCommunity #WriteAroundPAM #lynnaldrich
Lynn Aldrich, Biophilia, 2007, sponges, brushes, scrubbers, scouring pads, mop heads, plungers, plastic, plumbing parts, wood, Gift of Jereann Chaney, © Lynn Aldrich, 2018.20.1
