Melodies of the Earth
Virginia Beach, VA
2023, Senior, Film
Climate Hero: Joy Hardjo, Native Arts and Cultures Foundation
Reflection
As an artist working with multimedia video, my creative process is deeply inspired by the transformative power of storytelling. I am drawn to the arts and film because of the way that it combines many powerful techniques of animation, writing, voiceovers, music and clean editing. Throughout the process of creating my artwork, I went through a lot of growth technically and artistically. I explored creative composition and representation of abstract concepts involving both the health of the entire Earth and the mind of a single artist. The message of my artwork is rooted in the understanding that heroes can come in many forms. By highlighting the role of an artist as a climate hero, I tried to emphasize the power of words and emotions in igniting change. I want people to recognize that their own voices and passions can be catalysts for making a positive impact on the environment. To me, the ability to articulate your emotions into words that make other people connect with you and what you stand for is powerful. Heroes can be people with strong emotions who know how to use them to change the world. Through the video I created, I hope to inspire others to find their own creative ways of addressing environmental issues and to foster a sense of urgency and action. Through my research on climate change and our oceans, I learned that the roots of these issues extend into all aspects of our lives and that the effects are far-reaching. Beyond individual actions like recycling, I am committed to engaging with my community through art and initiating conversations about challenging topics. By using the power of visuals, storytelling, and dialogue, as I did with this project, I believe we can make these issues more accessible and foster a collective understanding that leads to tangible change. The efforts of climate hero, Joy Harjo, fill me with hope for the future. Seeing how she uses her artistic talents to address environmental concerns and touch people's hearts with her poetry inspires me to believe in the transformative potential of my own work. I am encouraged to continue spreading my messages through videos, just as she does through poetry, knowing that every small action and expression can contribute to a brighter and more sustainable future.