Seen + Felt: Wetland: An ecopsychological project.
Abstract
The primary focus of this ecopsychological project is the relationship between the author and a high-altitude wetland. Held in a research-creation format, this investigation attempts to creatively illuminate how the author’s experience with the wetland contributed to being seen, felt, and held by wild community, and how this kind of relationship can contribute to healing trauma.
The project consists of a 12-month ritual practice of visiting the same area in the wetland. Photographs and videos document the author and the land through a year of changes, which also provides glimpses of being in relationship with a living place. Relevant histories about the author and the wetland are woven together in this paper along with intersecting perspectives and research by current authors concerning trauma healing.
The paper also includes creative writings to highlight curiosities, illustrate points, and seek meaning. The forms of artistic documentation include photographs, videos, temporary small-scale interventions in the land, and journaling. These seek to share a sense of interior musing, like the poetic feeling and thinking process that can happen when one is walking in nature.
Keywords: nature connection, trauma healing, art as ritual, transpersonal art, eco-attunement, research-creation, art as research.
Abstract
The primary focus of this ecopsychological project is the relationship between the author and a high-altitude wetland. Held in a research-creation format, this investigation attempts to creatively illuminate how the author’s experience with the wetland contributed to being seen, felt, and held by wild community, and how this kind of relationship can contribute to healing trauma.
The project consists of a 12-month ritual practice of visiting the same area in the wetland. Photographs and videos document the author and the land through a year of changes, which also provides glimpses of being in relationship with a living place. Relevant histories about the author and the wetland are woven together in this paper along with intersecting perspectives and research by current authors concerning trauma healing.
The paper also includes creative writings to highlight curiosities, illustrate points, and seek meaning. The forms of artistic documentation include photographs, videos, temporary small-scale interventions in the land, and journaling. These seek to share a sense of interior musing, like the poetic feeling and thinking process that can happen when one is walking in nature.
Keywords: nature connection, trauma healing, art as ritual, transpersonal art, eco-attunement, research-creation, art as research.
abridged exhibition below--click on any image to enlarge and scroll
for the full exhibition, including videos, click here.
for the full exhibition, including videos, click here.
