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ecosystem.media
An Introduction to Down to Earth
Down to Earth. A creative project partnership between the Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Caandor Labs and Capital Fringe.
Using the creative process, selected artists create new artwork or experiences that shine a light on the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and Ward 7’s past, present, and future with a sharp focus on the climate emergency and its intersectionality with systemic racism.
Through a diverse collection of media, we grapple with the PREPARATION, INCUBATION, and ILLUMINATION that comes along with creative work and community advocacy. We EVALUATE our learning along with each season artist as they FULFILL their creative vision for the community and environment.
Through a diverse collection of media, we grapple with the PREPARATION, INCUBATION, and ILLUMINATION that comes along with creative work and community advocacy.
Down to Earth is an artist residency program presented by Capital Fringe with a focus on shining a light on the worth and history of aquatic gardens and the Kenworth area. The program will take place through winter, spring, summer, and fall and will follow four artists as they create their projects inspired by the area and its history, with a focus on community advocacy efforts and growing their knowledge of their skill and environment. The program aims to grapple with the preparation, incubation, and illumination that comes with creating a work and will evaluate the learning along with each artist as they fulfill their creative vision for their community and environment.
In winter, the program will follow Rick Freeman, a DC-based painter who will create a series of large-scale oil paintings that will explore the history of the aquatic gardens in the Kenworth area pre-colonization through contemporary times.
The Artists
In spring, Nikki Hendrix, a DC native fashion designer, will create a collection drawing inspiration from the aquatic gardens ecosystem and environmental issues while using sustainable materials to bring her vision to life.
In summer, Siobhan Rigg, a Maryland-based artist, will draw focus to the Kenworth area in relation to food, and in the fall, the program will meet the team of Thomas Stanley, Malik Thomas, and Mark Cooley, a DC and Maryland-based artist collective who will research, collect, and compose a set of oral histories on the geographic area that we today call Ward 7.
Down to Earth is about becoming closer to the land and environment we call home and the people who have made its history for thousands of years. This project is a creative partnership between Friends of Kennerworth Aquatic Gardens, Candor Labs, and Capital Fringe. Participants are invited to follow along in this journey and participate in discussions through a diverse collection of media. The program aims to create new narratives for the future and engage in conversations about the climate emergency and its intersectionality with systemic racism.
Show Contributors
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