Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project

Today I had the opportunity to listen to Nancy Knowlton and Margaret Wertheim give a lecture at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.  The talk was about the every-so-growing fusion between art and science.  This art/sci fusion is at the core of Consciously Rebuilding, especially through the YB Green® brand.  The Crochet Coral Reef project has so many layers, including education on the environmental, human, and economic importance of coral.  Coral reefs are becoming depleted due to sedimentation, bleaching (temperature rising), and invasive species.  I found out that between 1-9Million species live in reefs.  I also learned that reefs have a hyperbolic geometric shape that stands out like no other species.  In response to the need to increase awareness and ACTION, the project mobilizes artists/communities of the world to create crochets or knit reefs, described as a "fantasy of nature".   Overall this is a fantastic community and collective project that displays the power of 1+1 (i.e. a group).   This synthesis of art and science with none being the subordinate is similar to YB Green®---the community collects the glass, volunteers help to crush it, and pieces are designed that represent the art of jewelry and the science of recycling.

Have a great Sunday Evening.  Go Celtics--The Green Team ;)

Also it was Pride Week in DC and here's a pic.  I use something as festive and colorful as Pride Week to inspire me to show my pride in my environment, planet, and world.  YAY!!!!

PRIDE!!!!

National Parks and the George Wright Society (May 12th)

Hello readers.  As I mentioned before, Consciously Rebuilding is making moves.  Here is guest blogger, Bradley Bowers' account of a community "Think Tank" session on using NOLA national parks for meaningful community and economic development.


With all the devastation that has struck New Orleans and her neighboring parishes hope for a wonderful future remains constant. I recently had the chance to participate in a creative brainstorm session sponsored by the George Wright Society-- a society dedicated to the preservation of park lands and natural areas-- and hosted by the National Parks Service. To me this meeting of creative minds, there were participants from the film industry, the Department of Agriculture and Organic Farmers engaging and helping solve the issues that currently threaten the culture and the way of life of New Orleans and the people of Louisiana. And of course I was there representing YB Green. The goal of this session was to devise program schedule for George Wright Society's conference in 2011. The programs we devise would actively engage the the scientists in the culture and the environments of New Orleans while exposing them to the reality of a post-Katrina New Orleans, and by that time a post-Oil Spill New Orleans. I am excited by this event for many reasons but mainly because it gives the world outside of New Orleans an opportunity to contribute and help with the healing and reformation process. This event will draw great minds from around the globe and charge them with the tasks that we (the community of New Orleans) find pertinent and relevant. I can think of no better way to engage and empower a city than to listen and then implement. I am anxious and excited to see what the next step will be in the saga of Re-Building New Orleans. ----Bradley Bowers, BFA, Artist, Design Management and Creative Services