An Earth Artists Event & Public Engagement Campaign
In support of
UNESCO (United Nations) World Heritage Site status for Burns Bog
Burns Bog, Vancouver, BC, Canada
The largest remaining domed peat bog in the Western Hemisphere.
HISTORY
In February 2009 when A. Traviss Corry heard mention of highway construction in Burns Bog he was confused. He knew the bog was government land and thought it was protected. Wondering why the public was not aware of the risk to the bog, out of concern and curiosity, Traviss began hoping fences, risking fines, hiking deep into Burns Bog.
It is a four hour hike to the center of Burns Bog’s 40 square kilometers, a unique ecosystem, completely off-limits to the public, surrounded by the city of Vancouver. There are no trails to the center. It’s alien landscape is dominated by stunted gnarled pine groves like bonsai forests, expansive sphagnum moss meadows, and fields of sweetly fragrant labrador tea. Rare and endangered plants and animals thrive within, all literally floating on tea-coloured bog waters of a massive geological basin.
Traviss recognized a disconnect in the Burns Bog public awareness efforts; a lack of emotional engagement. Few artful images of the inner bog existed. None were available for public use.
Traviss took the artist Charisse Baker into the Bog. Ms. Baker’s passion, energy, and talent for collaborative public art, was the catalyst needed. As labrador tea bloomed around them, the two artists conceptualized “Ephemeral Art In Burns Bog”. One day in spring 2009 would bring a large group of multidisciplinary Earth Artists to create on-site temporary works that “speak of place”. The documentation of that day would ripple out through media.
A massive effort of many passionate contributors ensued, culminating in a day which included over 30 international artists and photographers. The artful photo and written media was then freely distributed to many organizations advocating for Burns Bog protection.
Photographer Brandon Fields,
“Being here today gave me a chance to focus on the portraiture of the landscape as well as the artists interacting with it. Ephemeral Art like this demonstrates how we are all a part of nature, and contributes to our global awareness of our connection to nature. It also gives us a chance to get muddy and wet and not be afraid of nature. The Bog, being in the middle of Vancouver in an urban environment is just so rare to have. It’s like finding your Walden, and everyone needs that. ”
Over the next year, many new Earth Artists continued to spread and show documentation of their works in the bog. Traviss continued to connect photographers, politicians, reporters, advocates, and philanthropists. He guided over 100 influential and creative people into the inner landscape of Burns Bog.
Traviss approached Dana L. Miller, the former Federal Liberal Candidate for Delta-Richmond East, who conceived the UNESCO World Heritage Site Status For Burns Bog initiative and had been relentlessly lobbying on it’s behalf since 2004. Dana and Traviss focused their energies as a team, and with Dana’s reputation, political connections, and formidable skills, they pushed the UNESCO World Heritage Site Status initiative to the consideration of Delta Mayor and Council, then lobbying Federal Members Of Canadian Parliament, culminating in successful announcements in the House Of Commons.
RESULTS
The Ephemeral Art In Burns Bog documentation has been seen by tens of thousands, in print and social media; used by The Burns Bog Conservation Society, Metro Vancouver, and Members Of Parliament. Communications including images were presented to the the UNESCO (United Nations) committee in Paris France, and to the Prime Minister Of Canada, The Honourable Stephen Harper for his consideration.
Ephemeral Art In Burns Bog controversy, strategically created emotional engagement and public/political reaction that shifted perception of Burns Bog issues, helping the UNESCO solution to the forefront of influential parties’ attention.
A Google search for Burns Bog shows images from the Day Of Ephemeral Arts prominently. These images continue to do good and cause reaction. They are freely open through a creative commons license for any use around awareness of Burns Bog.
The Artists of Ephemeral Arts In Burns Bog
Co-creator & Artist A. Traviss Corry
Co-creator & Artist Charisse Baker
Photographer, Georgia Esporlas
Photographer, Yvonne Chew
Aerial Dancers, Kira Schaffer & Keely Sills
Dancer, Espirito Santos Mauricio
Dancer, Celeste Lyon
Photographer, Mischa Bartkow
Artist, Donna Webb
Photographer, Brandon Fields
Photographer, Carlos Romero
Photographer, Norman Whaley
Photographer, Ian Paterson
Photographer, Monty Walden
Photographer, Melissa Mercier
Photographer, Derek Von Essen
Costume Designer, Katie Litzenberger
Artist, Leah Weinstien
Advisor, Karla Olson
Photographer, Andrew Semple
TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE
Obtain images and information free-of-charge by contacting Earth Artists,
info@eartharitists.org
Article edited by,
Blake de Pastino
