A Wilderness Science and Art Collaboration

Aldo & Leonardo, a partnership between Colorado Art Ranch and the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, is a project to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. The project is inspired by the scientific wisdom of Aldo Leopold and the artistic genius of Leonardo da Vinci. Our endeavor is an interdisciplinary collaboration of artists and scientists designed to celebrate the lands, resources and opportunities protected by the Wilderness Act. In 2013, we are hosting one-month residencies in six diverse wilderness areas. Artists will work alongside wildland research scientists and gain firsthand knowledge of the wonders, complexities and challenges of our nation's wildest places. The result will be a body of work that creatively illustrates the value of wild areas and honors the scientific efforts to preserve wilderness for the next fifty years.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Fragile by erogerscello

"The sites are fragile, but even more so are the understandings that are sought. For these, there must be time, and quiet- not crowds, or lectures, or guided tours."
-Lipe- about the Anasazi archeological sites he was working with.

As we get closer to the time for arrival in Colorado a few opportunities for connection in the community have come up. An interview on the radio, possible collaboration with a music foundation, lectures to attend, a presentation to give when we arrive. As I have gotten excited about each new possible opportunity to share my/our work and mission of collaboration a part of me has also said internally NOOO! That's not wilderness!!

Wilderness to me is an opportunity for solitude, for seeking, for listening, for stillness, for listening to quiet voices of internal thoughts, outer inspiration that asks nothing in return, for time to percolate and work... without the pressure of relationships, deadlines, external pressures for results- things to share and projects finished, something relevant and prepared to execute and present "properly." 

I am right now aware that much of my life as an artist, musician, teacher involves connection- seeking out people to work with, going through a collaborative process involving rehearsal times and scheduling, working with deadlines and expectations, maintaining artistic relationships to nurture new work opportunities... meeting other peoples needs on time.

I'm looking forward to the space of a month in the wilderness and afraid I'll book it up! I'm looking forward to taking the days as they come, working on my own music and ideas... being present, each day. Looking forward to collaboration without the hassle of scheduling. Looking forward, perhaps, to being alone for awhile.



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