"Water Lives..." a BioFresh science-art animation about the science and policy of freshwaters

“Water Lives…” is a new science communication animation designed to draw attention to the important (yet largely invisible) biodiversity which underpins and sustains freshwater ecosystems, produced for BioFresh - a European Union FP7 project on freshwater biodiversity.

“Water Lives…” on Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/36863720

“Water Lives…” contextual and scientific information and artist statements: http://www.geog.ox.ac.uk/research/biodiversity/governance/water-lives/index.html

Released: 19.03.12

“Water Lives…” is a new science communication animation designed to draw attention to the important (yet largely invisible) biodiversity which underpins and sustains freshwater ecosystems. Produced for BioFresh - a European Union FP7 project on freshwater biodiversity - by Oxford University School for Geography and the Environment, the 6 minute animation brings together a team of artists and scientists to collaborate and communicate the concept that freshwater is more than an inert resource, instead a living, dynamic system inhabited by beautiful, important organisms largely unseen by the naked eye. The animation suggests the vast potential for such collaborations between artists, scientists and policy makers in engaging the public with science and environmental policy.

Project Leader Dr Paul Jepson at the Oxford University School of Geography and the Environment outlines the context for the project: “Water Lives…” is a response to two stands of thinking around the issue of freshwater biodiversity. The first concerns the role of contemplation in the production of environmental management and policy decisions in complex systems under situations of uncertainty and incomplete knowledge. The second concerns the need to rethink governance - and water governance in particular - if we are to assure sustainability within the system boundaries of our planet. “

As water climbs up the policy agenda it is being aligned with "big ticket", human-centred agendas - most notably water security. This makes tactical sense but it means that water is often framed primarily as a liquid resource for humanity - downplaying its role as a medium for life and provider of freshwater ecosystem services. Freshwater scientists are mobilising to build a stronger evidence-base for why freshwater life matters to humans, but the scientific and policy processes are currently out of sync. “Water Lives…” offers a space for a few minutes of contemplation on the value, complexity and beauty of freshwater biodiversity, and how we should govern our planet's water for the times ahead.

“Water Lives…” provides a creative and thought-provoking response to the agenda of upcoming global sustainability meetings such as Rio+20, which ask individuals to imagine “the future we want” for Planet Earth. Dr Jepson explains: “Such collaborations between science and art foster have the potential to foster new, creative spaces for thought, reflection and engagement. “Water Lives…” asks “do we dream of a world where fantastic life forms continue to provide inspiration, awe and wonder, and where engagements with nature can continue to enrich lives and culture? Are we capable of creating policies to manage water not only as a resource for humanity, but also as a medium for freshwater life?”

The curious and otherworldly physical form of many freshwater organisms provides abundant artistic inspiration for incorporating into an animation. Produced by Rob St. John - BioFresh Communications and Project Manager at Oxford University - “Water Lives…” is a conceptual and cutting edge work, emphasising unusual and beautiful natural forms in a six minute piece animated by Scottish artist Adam Proctor. It is sound-tracked by a specially composed piece of music by Tommy Perman from Scottish, BAFTA award winning arts collective FOUND which samples a series of haiku about freshwater ecosystems written by acclaimed environmental poet John Barlow. The content of both the animation and haiku was influenced by close consultation with BioFresh freshwater scientists from University College London and the University of Barcelona.

The team have produced a nuanced, multi-layered piece that not only contains sound, robust scientific information but that is beautiful, engaging and playful. “Water Lives…” can be viewed entirely on its artistic merits, from which the viewer could take away a range of different information: from something as simple as "Freshwaters are more interesting than I thought" to something as intricate as "How can policy makers manage this complex entanglement of life?" and a whole spectrum in between.

“Water Lives…” provides a novel, engaging tool for environmental education and policy advocacy, inviting viewers to engage with and discuss the value and future of freshwater ecosystems. It indicates the productive possibilities opened up by collaborations between scientists and creative artists for the communication of environmental science and policy.

Contact:
Paul Jepson (project leader, BioFresh, Oxford University School for Geography and the Environment) [e-mail] 01865 275896 or Rob St.John (producer, BioFresh, Oxford University School for Geography and the Environment) [e-mail] 01865 275897

BioFresh
The BioFresh project – funded by the European Union’s Framework 7 programme – is currently assembling dispersed information on freshwater biodiversity into a network accessible through an online portal to allow better analysis of the distribution, status and trends of global freshwater ecosystems. This work will support more effective environmental policy formation and raise awareness of the importance and value of freshwaters ecosystems.
http://www.freshwaterbiodiversity.eu/

Países

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia, United Kingdom