Jodie Atherton

My contribution to What’s Next For Earth project is influenced by scientists, writers, artists and courses like Think Resilience who work to spread information about water in the west and bring this issue to the forefront of society. I have floated rivers my entire life and know just how important they are to a healthy ecosystem for plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, mammals and humans. In my artwork, it is important to utilize as many found objects to create my story.

Contemporary Shoreline

Created from welded steel, fiber, paper, seagull-pecked sand dollars, sand, rusty old gas can, and my creativity putting these together to create something new from the individually unwanted objects. 20 x 20 x 51”

Floating down rivers that lead to the ocean, even in landlocked states in the middle of our country our trash ends up in the ocean... we are not immune to polluting the seas. No one is. A great garbage patch, more plastic than fish.. How is this ok?

The petroleum it takes to bottle water. To make plastic bottles. To wrap the bottle with a plastic label. To wrap the cases of bottles in plastic. To deliver said water across the country and the world. All of it to not really even be recycled.

This can be partly countered by economic localization, which helps to make communities more resilient.

What are you doing to reduce your footprint? How are you supporting your local economy? What are you saying yes to? What are you saying no to? what are the pros and cons of your actions?
©
2023
  • Jodie Atherton

The Damn Dam

A 1996 world globe, and other outdated and seemingly unwanted materials.

View Gallery
That was the year I learned about the Glen Canyon Dam on my first trip down The Grand.

I’ve since watched water evaporate off Lake Powell ever since. Witnessing our climate changing. Wondering.
Why?
Why are green lawns in the desert even an option.
When?
Now it’s all over the news.

I watch the lack of attention to water use in the west closer than ever now. Sigh.
This dam has a limited shelf life. What’s the bottom line? And at what cost? And to who? And what?
©
2023
  • Jodie Atherton

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