The ark of Ane, Markel, June, Jon, Irati, Iker ...
Sgaramella built a space on the Borromeo Island natural park to host the Ecoismi 2013 art show, which became a very special ark. In same way as Noah did in the traditional story, Chiara housed in her own structure numerous animals, some of them in need of protection.
Using recycled wood that could well have been obtained from boxes used to transport fruit, Chiara created two symmetrical sections inspired by the shape of a ship. Between them, she left an empty space to enable the visitors to go inside the structure, explore it and discover the real sense of her creation. The wood planks that covered the framework of the ark acted as a canvas on which the names, the scientific ones in this case, of the species in danger of extinction could be carved. In addition, and according to the artist herself, her intention was to use the empty spaces between the planks to represent those species already extinct so that visitors could perceive the fragility of the natural diversity and become aware of the need to protect all those forms of life that surround us.
The Italian artist Chiara Sgaramella surprised those visiting the Ecoismi 2013 art exhibition with a piece of work that aimed to incorporate visual poetry and art into the nature of an entirely graphical form.
Teachers - do you think that you could develop a similar idea in your schools? Here in Ihitza we encourage you to do so. The students could, in addition to the research work (gather information regarding those species in our environment that are in danger of extinction), take charge of the decoration, etc. You could also ask for the cooperation of their families, so that this activity can become a meeting point for all members of the school community, as well as a piece of work of undeniable educational value.
