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Water Blog April 28, 2011 Project 12x12 Hello everyone: I like the word Yes and so I said “yes” to leading a collaborative project to build a 12’x12’ livable structure placed in a park in New York City. William Powers, author of “Twelve by Twelve, A One Room Cabin Off the Grid and Beyond the American Dream” initiated the endeavor. He found a small group of artists to make visible the idea of living lightly, living with less and living in close connection with the foundations of life on earth – water, air, food and energy. First Brain Storming Session Our group has met three times and in the first brain storming session we outlined the sustainable technologies to be included such as solar and wind energy, rainwater harvesting, productive outer walls to the structure that mitigate hot and cold, separation toilets, a cold cellar, flow forms, water filtration, and green roof. First we decided to model community with three structures – each different however with an evident evolution from each other. Ideas for materials, as discussed so far, include materials from the park -- reused materials, straw bale, dirt, plants, and rope. One person is saving throwaway construction materials. The most interesting aspect of William Powers’ book is his transformation while living in the 12x12. Upon realizing that, we have decided that the structure is about inviting a discussion, a consciousness, not about making sculpture or the best little home. On April 19 we arrived at making a box a book. The walls will unfold like pages of a book with changing text and inside will be tables, chairs, books, info and technologies to be used and transformed by others. Box as book will be a place that invites evolving consciousness, where people meet, where materials are transformed instead of thrown away and where flexibility of purpose and mind can develop. Consciousness, transformation and flexibility are the key concepts articulated in the design. The artists involved at this stage are: Betsy Damon, Simon Draper, Prudence Katz, Dave DOstilio, Christy Rupp with Stan Wells contributing through email, and Xavier Cortada developing the 12x12 in Miami. Create Your Own We think it would be amazing to have many 12x12’s across the US in as many cities as possible, each done according to the climate and potential of each place. How many could we collectively make? Innovative conversations could happen with the ideas. Consider joining by making a 12x12, place it in a public space, and involve Parks and Rec or other city organizations. Make it yours and your community’s, and appropriate for your geography and ecologies. Let’s share all our ideas. Say “yes”! You can find the book “Twelve by Twelve” by William Powers on Amazon.com. ------------- I have just finished two weeks in Albion, Michigan, where as a visiting artist I was part of Albion College’s Year of Sustainability. My stay included attending many classes, a public lecture, meeting Annie Leonard, visiting the wastewater treatment plant, looking at the Kalamazoo River which in Albion was altered to provide electricity to mills, a student farm, and a few new rainwater gardens. The campus may consider modeling zero run-offs into the river, rainwater harvesting and recycling of grey water. We started three projects, one is the 12x12, which immediately excited many, and will be a project supported by several courses next year including sculpture, political science and science. Another is the redesigning of an area between two buildings. This will become an example of rainwater harvesting, greening and water reuse; the sculpture and ceramic studios will use it. The third is a longer-range project that will redesign the old canal or races used for the mills. A multi-disciplined group from art/sculpture, biology and engineering will undertake this project. Additionally, I carved and printed a woodcut of the living water drop and now have an edition of six prints. Soon I am off to Milwaukee, WI, to look into a project with the Wastewater Management and then to Pittsburg to look at their systems and meeting community groups in preparation for an installation at the Mattress Factory and then off to China for two months. Always, Betsy Damon Betsy Presented at University of North Carolina November 14, 2016 Betsy Speaks at the 10th INTECOL Wetlands Conference, Changshu China February 28, 2016 Betsy at the UN: The Power of Collaboration January 05, 2016 A Wall: Socially Engaged Art from Greater China November 25, 2015 Water: Elemental, Mutable, Essential November 20, 2015 Healing Power of Art October 08, 2015 Documentation of Betsy Damon's talks in Logan Utah August 20, 2015 Website for Living Waters of Larimer July 20, 2015 ArtPlace Grant for Living Waters of Larimer March 03, 2015 Living Water of Larimer Workshops February 15, 2015 Balance-Unbalance January 28, 2015 Press for Living Waters of Larimer December 16, 2014 2015 Fundraiser - Original Prints from Betsy Damon November 01, 2014 Betsy at the International Water Conference August 18, 2014 The Keepers Board Convenes June 01, 2014 Water, Water Everywhere February 10, 2012 It's About Water October 30, 2011 Living Water September 28, 2011 Newsletter from China February 18, 2011 The Dream of a River October 11, 2010 An Amazing Model for Clean Rivers and Sustainability by Lonnie Feather May 14, 2010 News from Betsy Damon and Keepers of the Waters – May 2010 December 30, 2009 Happy New Year (To Be Alive is to Have Water) December 06, 2009 Composting toilet as a holiday gift? August 13, 2009 reSources: Saving Living Systems (A report fromTibet/China) June 30, 2009 reSources: Saving Living Systems (Hello Dear Friends) June 02, 2009 "reSources: Saving Living Systems" September 15, 2008 Update from China, September 15th September 06, 2008 Great news from Keepers of the Waters and Betsy August 19, 2008 Betsy Leaving For China January 12, 2008 News and Projects November 21, 2007 We Could Have Such a Beautiful World December 18, 2006 Water - The Link in Our Life June 24, 2006 Project Updates May 23, 2006 Betsy in China November 03, 2003 Water Exploratoriums in Oregon, Public Art in Beijing August 30, 2003 Volunteer Opportunities in China June 30, 2003 New Keepers of the Waters Online Network up! June 30, 2003 Edwards Aquifer Park Design June 30, 2003 Water and Art Exploratorium at elementary school June 30, 2003 News from China |
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