Understanding rainforest canopies through Intersections of arts-humanities-science and its communication to academic and public audiences

Background/Question/Methods

 Although scientists and artists use strikingly different approaches, tools, and media for presentation, their objectives and processes are remarkably similar.  Each “sees” the objects of interest through the lens and with the vocabulary of their own disciplines. When they are brought together, there is a strong potential for seeing, understanding, and communicating what they learn in fresh ways, which can provide both artists and scientists with new perspectives and access to different audiences.  I asked the question of how artists of many different kinds would perceive, understand, and communicate what they experienced by climbing into the forest canopy in the company of practicing forest canopy ecologists, and whether this “branching out” would provide useful insights for both the artists and the forest ecologists.  I organized three week-long “canopy confluences” in temperate and tropical rainforests during which time a group of painters, poets, musicians, and dancers spent time on treetop platforms with a group of forest ecologists for extended periods.  They focused solely on observing and documenting the structure, composition, dynamics and/or aesthetics of what they encountered. Each evening, the group assembled and discussed their observations and insights. Participants spontaneously formed small groups, often mixing scientists and artists. Each was asked to record ideas and impressions about the content of what they produced and about the process of interacting with people from other disciplines.

Results/Conclusions

The Confluences were successful.  Both significant artwork and scientific activities co-occurred, and in several cases, the outcomes resulted in performances to broad audiences that would almost certainly have not gained access to the scientific material alone. For example, one sculptor created a piece of installation art in New England that dramatically manifested the dynamicism of tree crowns. A dancer/choreographer created a 90 min dance drawing upon what she learned about rainforest ecology.  This was performed by dancers (who danced) and the scientist (who gave a short talk about rainforest ecology). The combination inspired some members of the audience to volunteer for conservation organizations. We concluded that partnering with artists in a way that engages them with science and nature can be a powerful and synergistic tool to provide insights, as well as profoundly broadening access to audiences who may not find science alone to be compelling. Confluences can be carried out by a wide variety of artists and scientists, and can result in outcomes that open wide ecologists’ doors.