Urban Ecology: The Intersection Between Humans and Nature in Cities (Live)

Urban Ecology: The Intersection Between Humans and Nature in Cities (Live)

by | Jul 25, 2022 | WICR

Aired Saturday, July 23, 2022

Urban Ecology: The Intersection Between Humans and Nature in Cities

Show #187

Talking about how humans think and make decisions in the context of an urban natural environment. We will explore Patrick’s unique project to create ecological signage along the waterway with students in his Urban Ecology Class that use the arts to teach science. We will also explore ways the tools of social science blend together with the expertise and knowledge of natural sciences to transform how we think about our natural world? Can transdisciplinary collaboration lead to new and more effective solutions to the problems facing our watersheds?

Guests

Dr. Patrick Lee Gentry, Lecturer, Biology Department, IUPUI School of Science
Mark Kesling, Adjunct Faculty, Biology Department, Butler University

Upcoming

The Human Spirit: Creating Solutions to Environmental Challenges

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Dr. Patrick Lee Gentry, Lecturer, Biology Department, IUPUI School of Science

by Mark Kesling and Krista Hoffmann-Longtin

Contact Patrick …

Contact Mark …

Artificial Intelligence and Beyond: A Journey Through the Ethics of Technology Through the Arts (Live)

Artificial Intelligence and Beyond: A Journey Through the Ethics of Technology Through the Arts (Live)

by | Jul 25, 2022 | WICR

Aired Saturday, July 16, 2022

Artificial Intelligence and Beyond: A Journey Through the Ethics of Technology Through the Arts

Show #186

Talking about the ethics of artificial intelligence including concerns of a lack of oversight, how private companies use AI software to make determinations about health and medicine, employment, creditworthiness, and even criminal justice. A group of artists and scientists have been exploring these ideas through the arts in a 10-day residency program hosted by Indy Convergence.

Guests

Caitlin Negron, Indy Convergence
Robert Negron, Indy Convergence
Benjamin Moniz, Brooklyn based performance artist, musician, and pilot. 
Dena Toler, Mom/Caretaker/Actor/Director/Visionary based in Indianapolis.
Lou Harry, Is writer and journalist from Wildwood, NJ.
Paulina Guerrero, Works in themediums of dance, non-narrative film, theater, and multi-media. 
Luis Antonio, Luis is a dancer and choreographer originally from Puerto Rico and moved to Indianapolis by way of Connecticut.

Upcoming

Urban Ecology: The Intersection Between Humans and Nature in Cities

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Artificial Intelligence and Beyond: A Journey Through the Ethics of Technology Through the Arts

by Mark Kesling and Krista Hoffmann-Longtin

Contact Caitlin …

Contact Robert …

Benjamin Moniz- Ben Moniz is a Brooklyn based performance artist, musician, and pilot. 
In New York, Ben has performed in pits for musicals at Manhattan School of Music, 5th
Floor Theatre, and Forager Theatre Company on guitar and mandolin. He has directed
audiobooks for Recorded Books in New York since 2018. His original work has been
presented at Paper Kraine, Feast: a performance series, and Barnfest. Ben is working
towards his commercial pilot certificate; last winter, he flew a 60 year old airplane solo
across the Rocky Mountains.

Dena Toler- Dena is a Mom/Caretaker/Actor/Director/Visionary based in Indianapolis. She has performed, produced, and written numerous shows throughout Indianapolis for over a decade including lead roles at the Phoenix Theatre, Fonseca Theatre, Onyx Fest, the Indy Fringe Festival, and more. She also contributes to the medical community by being a medical actor and trainer for medical students. She works with them to learn how to conduct head-to-toe physical exams, handle undiagnosed patients that present with mental health concerns.

Lou Harry- Is a writer and journalist from Wildwood, NJ. Lou spent ten years as a professional stand up comic and is a published author of 40 books, having collectively sold more than a million-and-a-half copies. Currently, he is the Arts & Entertainment Editor for the Indianapolis Business Journal and IBJ.com/arts. He continues to freelance and serves as a board member of the American Theatre Critics Association

Most recently, he developed “We Are Still Tornadoes” at Butler University Theatre, where it opened the 18/19 season.

Paulina Guerrero- Works in the mediums of dance, non-narrative film, theater, and multi-media. Her inspirations are ballads, folktales, fantasy realms and other forms of folklore artistic expression. These inspirations yield work that can be dark and disturbing or joyous and whimsical and are always steeped in deep collaboration and self-reflection. Paulina’s work is created through various modalities such as somatic movement explorations in the body, experiential interviews with participants, integration of text and music, and writing explorations.

Luis Antonio- Luis is a dancer and choreographer originally from Puerto Rico and moved to Indianapolis by way of Connecticut. His work in the Midwest includes being a Micro-Fellow with Indianapolis Movement Arts Collective, teaching with Ibada Dance Company, and performing with Kenyetta Dance Company. While in Connecticut Luis directed, produced, and performed in numerous performances that spanned from ballet to modern to film. Luis has also worked with the Lifetime Network and Hallmark Channgel as a choreographer and dancer. 

Time Lapse Imagery: Capturing Time in the Camera (Live)

Time Lapse Imagery: Capturing Time in the Camera (Live)

by | Jul 13, 2022 | WICR

Aired Saturday, July 9, 2022

Time Lapse Imagery: Capturing Time in the Camera

Show #185

Talking about Time-lapse photography: a technique in which the frequency at which frames are captured is much lower than the frequency used to view the sequence. When played at normal speed, time appears to be moving faster and thus lapsing. Processes that would normally appear subtle and slow to the human eye, such as the motion of the sun and stars in the sky or the growth of a plant, become very pronounced. Over the years Shiv has earned numerous awards and recognition both nationally and internationally. Shiv devotes a great deal of his time to reviewing photography related products. He also conducts photo tours and workshops worldwide.

Guests

Shiv Verma, Author, Photographer, Artist, Educator, and Technologist

Upcoming

Artificial Intelligence and Beyond: A Journey Through the Ethics of Technology Through the Arts

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Time Lapse Imagery: Capturing Time in the Camera

by Mark Kesling and Krista Hoffmann-Longtin

Contact Shiv …

Solace

by | Jul 2, 2022 | Uncategorized | 2 comments

Solace

Finding Peace in Nature During a Global Pandemic

Solace

As a global pandemic forced the shutdown of virtually all in-person gatherings, humanity turned to their local parks and natural areas as a place of activity, socially distant interactions, and a source of solace.  

Many of these visitors developed a personal connection through hiking, picnics, meditation, kayaking, bicycling, landscape photography, and more. We wondered, did they then realize the need to protect and preserve these natural resources?

Our team, with backgrounds as filmmakers and Naturalists, decided to explore this societal shift through a short film, using a combination of narrative and interview-driven content to represent the impact of the pandemic on daily life and mental health.

From the outset of this filmmaking project, we wanted to guide our storytelling with data on the issue. We wanted to examine if the general public was experiencing this shift in mentality. So, we created a 10-question survey to disseminate through our social networks. We found out that over 90% of survey takers responded “Yes” to deliberately spending 10-50% more time outside during the pandemic. 

The objective of Solace is to maintain the momentum of interest in and support for our natural areas brought about by the need to have a safe place to destress or connect with people. And by proactively securing long-term protection for these areas, we, in turn, will improve our own health and safeguard these restorative places for future generations.

“Our parks and natural areas are commonly viewed as just “there,” ready and available for our engagement when we get the occasional itch for a hike or picnic. With Solace, we wanted to go beyond “preaching to the choir” of pre-existing nature enthusiasts. We wanted to hear from people who were not regularly active outdoors, who turned to nature for its therapeutic properties during the chaotic stress of the pandemic. And then would they take a step further? Would they understand the benefits of interacting with and safeguarding our natural areas? And we were not disappointed. Humans need nature, and nature needs our help to sustain it.” – Braden Worrell

 Now we want to hear from you! Please join the conversation.

Join the Conversation …

Some helpful prompts:

How did the panademic affect your interaction with nature?

What sort of activities did you do outdoors while your normal activities and venues were closed?

How does being in nature affect your mindset?

Our Team …

Leslie Lorance – Director and Editor

Leslie Lorance is a freelance video producer and editor with extensive experience creating educational, documentary, journalistic style videos for museum and nonprofit organizations. Her video work for the Indiana State Museum assisted in winning the National Association for Interpretation Interpretive Media Award for the Natural Regions Gallery. She was lead producer for the Levi & Catharine Coffin State Historic Site orientation film and producer/videographer/editor for The Plump Legacy, winning her an Honorable Mention at the Really Big Short Film Festival. Leslie is enthusiastic about sharing her love of the outdoors and makes videos aimed to inspire, inform and connect people with nature. She has worked with Indiana Wildlife Federation, Environmental Education Association of Indiana, and Central Indiana Land Trust, helping them share their conservation messages through storytelling and the medium of film.

Braden Worrell – Producer and Director of Photography

Braden Worrell is co-founder and Producer at Monumental Productions, a Florida-based video marketing company that creates commercials, brand stories, and explainer videos – rooted in storytelling and focused on sustainability. For Braden, storytelling is much deeper than a marketing buzzword; it’s an inherently human-centered method of communicating history, education, and inspiration in a highly compelling format. His experience as a writer, director, and photographer has led him to produce stories in over 13 countries, from Nicaragua to Iceland to the Philippines. He served as Assistant Director on Finding Hygge, a documentary about the Danes’ secret to happiness, winning Best Documentary at the Annual Copenhagen Film Festival in 2018.

Elaine Klemesrud – Research and Production Assistant

Elaine Klemesrud plays a key role as Research and Production Assistant providing survey creation and videography support. Having worked in the museum field in alternative education, evaluation and visitor advocacy she approaches projects from a holistic standpoint ensuring all aspects of the production process are implemented on time and on budget. Her background in program facilitation and event planning, in addition to her attention to detail, make her a perfect fit for the team. 

Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.

—Khalil Gibran

Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.

— Henry David Thoreau

There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.

 —Rachel Carson

Drawn to Water: The Art and Natural Science of the Finger Lakes (Live)

Drawn to Water: The Art and Natural Science of the Finger Lakes (Live)

by | Jul 2, 2022 | WICR

Aired Saturday, July 2, 2022

Drawn to Water: The Art and Natural Science of the Finger Lakes

Show #184

Talking about the ways natural science illustration involves attentive observation and careful study of the natural world. Through this visual language, artists help make research more accessible to wider audiences, expand our awareness of and appreciation for the natural world, and hopefully encourage us to support sustainability initiatives. It’s all about taking the time to look and appreciate the wonders that surround us. In this show we will explore the diverse interpretations of Finger Lakes artists, their mediums of expression, and how their observations lead to new discoveries and a deeper appreciation for the natural environment.

Guests

Elizabeth Morales, President, The Finger Lakes Chapter of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators
Lucille Frances Gagliardo, Illustrator
Stephen Dicerbo, Illustrator
Francis Fawcett, Illustrator

Upcoming

Time Lapse Imagery: Capturing Time in the
Camera

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Drawn to Water: The Art and Natural Science of the Finger Lakes

by Mark Kesling and Krista Hoffmann-Longtin

Contact Elizabeth …

Elizabeth Morales has been working as a scientific illustrator and art developer since 1985, when she established her freelance business, Morales Studios. 

She began her art training at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the High School of Art and Design, both in New York City. She went on to complete her BA and MA in Anthropology/Archaeology in New York and California. She completed a two-year degree in architectural rendering at San Francisco State, and has studied illustration at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco and at the University of California at Berkeley.

For many years she worked as a graphic designer in San Francisco. Today she works as an art developer and scientific illustrator for a variety of clients including publishing companies such as John Wiley, Pearson Learning, Cengage, Oxford University Press, Houghton Mifflin, Nature, and Zoobooks. 

She has also worked on museum exhibits for a variety of California organizations such as the Audubon Society,  Strybing Arboretum, The Discovery Center, The Marine Mammal Center, and the City of San Francisco Embarcadero sidewalk project.

She has been a member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators since 1986, and  has served on the Board as Membership Secretary, Treasurer and as President. 

MORALES STUDIOS 607-216-5521

[email protected]

SCIENCE-ART.COM/MORALES

Elizabeth Morales has been working as a scientific illustrator and art developer since 1985, when she established her freelance business, Morales Studios. 

She began her art training at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the High School of Art and Design, both in New York City. She went on to complete her BA and MA in Anthropology/Archaeology in New York and California. She completed a two-year degree in architectural rendering at San Francisco State, and has studied illustration at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco and at the University of California at Berkeley.

For many years she worked as a graphic designer in San Francisco. Today she works as an art developer and scientific illustrator for a variety of clients including publishing companies such as John Wiley, Pearson Learning, Cengage, Oxford University Press, Houghton Mifflin, Nature, and Zoobooks. 

She has also worked on museum exhibits for a variety of California organizations such as the Audubon Society,  Strybing Arboretum, The Discovery Center, The Marine Mammal Center, and the City of San Francisco Embarcadero sidewalk project.

She has been a member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators since 1986, and  has served on the Board as Membership Secretary, Treasurer and as President. 

MORALES STUDIOS 607-216-5521

[email protected]

SCIENCE-ART.COM/MORALES

Contact Lucille …

While pursuing a degree in biology, Lucy’s interests in nature and art came together when she took a class in scientific illustration and was introduced to the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators.  This was the kind of art she wanted to do. With experience gained through an internship as an illustrator at Plum Island Disease Center, and then later working as a technician there, she was able to make a career as a laboratory technician while being a freelance illustrator.  

Lucy continues to create artwork using traditional techniques for her own pleasure and to contribute to exhibits. Drawing is a great way to learn more about a subject and she enjoys studying the subject closely to see the details. Even if she does not capture those details in the final image she creates, she enjoys the time spent in the effort. She hopes that those who view her work will be interested enough in learning a bit more about the subjects that inspire the images and spend time looking closely at the natural world.

[email protected]

Contact Stephen …

Stephen DiCerbo grew up wandering about and exploring the Adirondack Mountain Region of upstate New York. Ever enchanted by the outdoor surroundings he seeks out, Stephen expresses this wonder of the natural world in the art he produces.  He obtained an Associate of Science Degree in Fish and Wildlife Technology in the early eighties, and years later, pursued and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Science Illustration.

He has traveled around the northeast United States and New England, Oregon, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, Washington State, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia in a quest for more knowledge and experiences in varied environmental settings.

He has also traveled to Japan and studied with a Master Gyotaku Printmaker, Mineo Ryuka Yamamoto to refine and advance his technique in Kansetsu-ho and Chokusetsu-ho Japanese Fish printing. After over 10 years of study with Sensei Yamamoto, he was honored with the title of Master Gyotaku printmaker and given the Artist’s name, Mutsugoroh.

Artist Statement: “ It has been said that one of the greatest values of fishing is that it presents a never-ending series of opportunities for hope.  In the same sense, the artistic subject matter of fish and the environs they inhabit provide me with unlimited variations of color and form to work with.

 The pursuit of recreating a visual accounting of these creatures, as well as other of nature’s subjects, on paper and canvas offers me ongoing access to the learning process. It allows me satisfaction in bringing home to the observer a surge of excitement, a reflection on nature’s wonders, or an emotional touchstone connected to their own experiences in the wild. “

Currently, Stephen works out of Stormtree Studio in North Hudson, New York, in the Central Adirondack area.  He practices Natural Science Illustration as well as fine art and printmaking, specializing in Ichthyologic subject matter. He may be contacted at (518) 466-7004  or by email – [email protected].   Web presence: http://www.stormtreestudio.com

Contact Frances …
Frances Fawcett is a free-lance scientific illustrator and graphic designer in Ithaca, NY.  Formerly she worked for the Cornell Entomology Department, specializing in Coleoptera illustration, and taught natural science illustration in the Cornell summer program. She is currently a member of the State of the Art Gallery In Ithaca, where she shows both scientific and abstract digital work and landscape paintings in acrylic. 

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