Louis T. Fowler Endangered Species Ink Drawings.
The species’ disappearance are represented through ‘meandering, vanishing ink lines and trails’ (Louis’ website, link below).
Natee Puttapipat / Himmapaan
Drawing by illustrator Natee Puttappipat (@Himmapaan) for RDLS 2018.
Source: Lost Species day Twitter images / @Himmapaan
Sara Otterstätter
A new artwork created by artist/ illustrator Sara Otterstätter/ @SaraLutra, dedicated to Steller’s Sea Cow for RDSL 2018.
Source: LostSpeciesDay retweeted @SaraLutra (Sara Otterstätter)
Sonia Shomalzadeh
A 6 metre, subadult life-size drawing of Steller’s Sea Cow by artist Sonia Shomalzadeh. Here it is displayed on ONCA’s Barge for the RDLS Procession in Brighton 2018.
Source: LostSpeciesDay Twitter
Chicago (IL), USA: A Benefit Concert 30/11
A benefit concert that featured original songs about extinct animals by Chicago-based singer-songwriters. All the proceeds went to ‘Friends of the Chicago River’, a charity working to improve the health of the Chicago river system for people, animals and plants.
Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka: A Beach Ritual
A ritual was held on Hikkaduwa beach, Sri Lanka in praise of whales.
White Plains (NY), USA: A Congregation
A community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains, hosted by Revs. LoraKim Joyner and Meredith Garmon.
Falmouth, UK: A Film Screening
The documentary Albatross by artist Chris Jordan was screened in Falmouth. The film depicts the tragic occurrences of dead albatrosses with stomachs filled with plastic, reflecting on the destructive power of mass consumption.
(Info on film: https://www.albatrossthefilm.com/ourstory/)
Galway, Republic of Ireland: ‘Sing for our Planet’ meeting with Transition Tunes Galway 30/11
A meeting was held at St Nicholas’ primary school for an hour to remember and raise awareness of the plight of all the extinct and endangered species of the world. Poems, songs, music and silence were shared.
Amsterdam, Netherlands: Exhibition and Performances Exploring the Extinction of Birds
BirdScore is a collaboration between artist Jeroen van Westen (NL) and musician/artist Michael Pestel (USA). It involves an interactive set of multi-media installations, a choreographed/scored performance work, interlocking indoor and outdoor, and a strategy for local environmental research and interspecies communication with birds. Through these works, the artists look at the world from the point of view of the nearly two hundred species of birds gone extinct since the time of colonial expansion in the 17th Century, seeking to give voice to species we can no longer hear, and images to sights we can no longer see. Art meets science in this speculative area to explore a way in which to develop a cross cultural awareness for the interactive dynamics between nature and culture as a possible prerequisite for a sustainable relationship with and between all forms of life and habitats on this planet.
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Detroit (MI), USA: Film Screening and Performance Event 30/11
A two part event consisting of a community potluck and film screening, followed by performances by Vness Wolfchild and Roo Gatsby. Guests were encouraged to dress as a species other than their own.
Singapore: Remembrance Gathering 30/11
People met outside in Singapore for rituals, song, primal movement and story sharing.
Image source: Florence Leung on the facebook event page
Leiden, Netherlands: Building a Life Cairn 30/11
A Life Cairn was built in Leiden, inspired by the Life Cairn that was built in 2011 by Andreas Kornevall and others on Mount Caburn in Sussex. Participants gathered and added stones to commemorate plant and animal species that will never be encountered again due to their extinction.
A stone was sent from the USA to Leiden to be added to the Life Cairn.
Somerset, UK: Poetry Reading 30/11
People gathered at the trig point of Cley Hill in England. On top of this 244m hill, participants shared a reading of the poem ‘Bestiary’ by Joanna Macy. The poem is an expression of grief for the loss of species, with an intention for people to know the depth of this sorrow so as to feel the depth of their belonging.
(http://www.earthregenerative.org/earth-empathy/hope-cat.html)
An extract of the poem reads:
‘The list of endangered species keeps growing longer every year. With too many names to hold in our mind, how do we honor the passing of life? What funerals or farewells are appropriate?’
Barcelona, Spain: Ritual Gathering 30/11
A ritual gathering with flowers, candles and instruments to raise awareness about the extinction of species, biodiversity loss and environmental crises in a non-aggressive and inclusive way.
Stories of lost species were told such as that of the last Pyrenean ibex (2000) and the last Pinta Island tortoise (2012), as well as a discussion on how to halt the sixth mass extinction by transforming society’s relationship with nature.
This event ran in support of biodiversity project ‘Nature Needs Half’ which aims to protect 50% of the planet by 2050. https://natureneedshalf.org/
Encinitas (CA), USA: Storytelling and Ritual 30/11
People gathered for a fire ritual and storytelling in commemoration of extinct species.
Germany: Steller Society Events Programme 2018
An international society that celebrates the work of naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller dedicated its 2018 annual programme of activities to Steller’s Sea Cow and Remembrance Day for Lost Species. Steller discovered the Sea Cow in 1741 around the Commander Island but it was driven to extinction by 1768.
Maui, Hawaii: Seaweed Mandala 30/11
Manitoulin Island, Canada: Ritual 30/11
Nature communicator Madii Kasem hosted an evening of shamanic teachings, stories and ceremony with special guest Debra Ann Tate, ‘remembering the loss of animals and plants while celebrating our power to co-create the world we want to live in.’
Muiderberg, Netherlands: Event of Art, Talks, Music, Ceremony 30/11
In Muiderberg an afternoon/ evening of talks, artworks, film, discussion, singing, a fire and a shared meal was held for RDLS. Participants created shell-like objects and lay them down after a silent ritual with an intention.
Totnes, Devon, UK: Building a Life Cairn 1/12
A Life Cairn was built on a hill overlooking the river Dart in Devon for RDLS. A procession took place to the site of the Cairn by a maple tree, with 160 flags painted with extinct species suspended from wooden sticks. Stones were then layed in honour of these species.
‘These are species that are never to give birth again, never to sing, dance, court, hunt or be the astonishing animate expression of our Mother’s deep dreaming… I can only explain this as the consequence of having stepped out of the web of deep belonging.’ Azul Valérie Thomé (participant).
Photographs by Kay Michael (source: facebook event)
Knysa, South Africa: ‘Art for Species’ Exhibition, 5 – 30 November
Inspired by and in support of Remembrance Day for Lost Species, an exhibition was organised by artists in South Africa to reflect on current endangered and vulnerable species. Several talks, workshops and guided walks ran alongside the exhibition. The exhibition and project was led by artist Janet Botes who is passionate about inspiring action in support of biodiversity.
The exhibition included the work ‘Floating Away’ by Ingrid Nuss.
More artworks and information on the whole project at: https://artforspecies.org/artworks/
Cape Town, South Africa: Beach Gathering 30/11
An all day beach gathering was held on Glen Beach for Lost Species Day with South African calligrapher Andrew van der Merwe. Having pioneered techniques in beach calligraphy, Merwe gave a sand scribing workshop before proceeding to record the names of lost species in the sand. As the tide changed, the water washed away the transient artwork.
‘Through their names we will remember’
Following sunset and the disappearance of the words written in the sand was a shared picnic, fire dancing and the lighting of the extinction symbol. Participants were invited to contribute in any creative way they felt inclined e.g. reading a poem, storytelling, drumming, sketching, sand art or simply grieving in silence.
*add photograph of burning extinction sign*
Brighton, UK: Evening Talks at a Museum of Natural History 15/11
The Booth Museum of Natural History hosted an evening of talks to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the extinction of Steller’s Sea Cow for Lost Species Day. Speakers included Michael Blencowe and Sarah Ward from Sussex Wildlife Trust and Matthew Stanfield, a Lost Species Day researcher from ONCA. Talks reflected on what we can learn from the demise of Steller’s Sea Cow to prevent the loss of today’s most treasured marine megafauna.
On display were fossils of the future – plaster casts from plastic created by children in a workshop at ONCA’s Barge.
Brighton, UK: Artist Residency and Exhibition at ONCA, 1/11 – 16/12
This year for Remembrance Day for Lost Species, ONCA hosted a residency for 3 POC artists to develop new work around the theme of racial justice, environmental justice and biodiversity loss.
The selected artists were Laurèl Hadleigh, Matice Moore, and Tsai Tung Li. They shared a studio space on ONCA’s Barge at Brighton Marina before exhibiting their work at ONCA’s main gallery. The final exhibition entitled ‘Some of Us Did Not Die’ was curated by Imani Robinson and entailed painting, illustration and video.
‘In conversation with the past, the future, and each other, the work explored strategies and connections required to survive our current apocalyptic conditions. Whiteness has framed racialized bodies and knowledge as expendable, inconsequential, or hazardous to the values of empire.
Brighton, UK: Zine Making-Workshop
ONCA Gallery supervisor, communications officer & art activist Susuana Amoah facilitated a zine-making workshop as part of the RDLS exhibition programme. Participants created colourful collages inspired by the 3 POC artists’ work in the exhibition Some of Us Did Not Die. The collages were arranged together in the final zines along with information on the residency project and Remembrance Day for Lost Species.
Brighton, UK: Beach Procession for Steller’s Sea Cow, 1/12
A ritual memorial for Steller’s Sea Cow. Starting on ONCA’s Barge, adults and children gathered to hear the history of the Sea Cow told by historian Matthew Stanfield with the company of a large Sea Cow model suspended from the ceiling.
In an open circle, participants shared something they wanted to grieve for, something or someone they wanted to make a promise to for the future and something they felt grateful for.
The sea cow was then carried through the shops and restaurants of the marina, down to the beach where it was set alight and burnt to the ground in ceremony.
Photographer Zoe Childerley documented the event:
Sea cow in the window of ONCA’s barge
Brighton, UK: Stories From the Sea at ONCA’s Barge, 1/12
A drop-in workshop hosted by artists Zoe Childerley & Beckie Leach McDonald involving ocean themed activities – imagining and collecting stories of the ocean environment and of extinct and mythical sea creatures. Activities included poster and zine making, the telling of myths and legends of the sea and space to commit positive action for the ocean.
Artwork ‘Manatee Resting’ by New York-based artist Jan Harrison
Brighton, UK: Talk on Extinction and De-extinction with Dr Sadiah Qureshi 29/11/18
Dr Qureshi’s talk was a whistle-stop tour of the history of ideas about extinction – from the discovery of fossilised megabeasts in the late eighteenth century to the present-day debates about de-extinction and the future of earth’s biodiversity. The talk was followed by an interactive activity: If you could, would you bring back an extinct species? If so, which one?
The event took place during the Some of Us Did Not Die exhibition at ONCA Gallery for RDLS as part of ONCA’s residency project.
Glasgow, UK: Zine Launch and Gig, 28/11
An event to launch a zine to raise awareness of RDLS and to raise funds for Sea Shepherd UK.
Special guests included: Richard Youngs, Claquer & Catriona McKay, Electroscope, Bell Lungs, Ego Depletion, Luminous Monsters, Burnt Paw and Juana Adcock.
Huncoat, UK: Campaign Launch, 30/11
People gathered at the footbridge of Huncoat railway station to take a photograph to use for their campaign to preserve the wildlife there.
Huncoat colliery became a wildlife haven for wildflowers and butterflies after it ceased to operate in the 1960s. 21 butterfly species are present at Huncoat Colliery, 13 of which are in decline, including 2 species classed as a priority in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (Small Heath and White-letter Hairstreak). Huncoat Colliery has been earmarked for housing development which could be terrible news for local biodiversity, as we stand to lose an area rich in wildlife at a time when it’s more important than ever to protect the precious habitat we have left.
British Columbia, Canada: Walk for the Wild Things, 30/11
A walk from South Chesterman Beach to Frank Island to raise awareness of threatened and extinct animals as part of the International Remembrance Day for Lost Species. It was ‘a reflective opportunity to challenge the creative mind to act with hope in our commitment to nature.’
A beach fire was held afterwards at which Pacific Rim National Park warden Tanya Dowdall shared information about locally endangered species and plans to prevent extinction. A poem was also shared by poet Sherry Marr.
Wales, UK: Art installation, 19/11 – 28/12
Oriel Blodau Bach was previously an unused notice board and later became west Wales’ smallest contemporary art gallery.
For RDLS 2018, artist and co-founder of RDLS Emily Laurens exhibited her work featuring Steller’s Sea Cow.
More work by Emily Laurens:
A Steller’s sea cow diorama made from reclaimed materials by Wales-based artist Emily Laurens.
(Clay sculpture of Steller’s Sea Cow also by Emily Laurens.
Leleuvia Island, Fiji: Beach Art/ litter picking, 30/11
Plastic was collected on the beach and used to make sand art and earrings in memory of Steller’s Sea Cow and other extinct species.
Earrings by Anne O’Brien made from a plastic bottle found on the beach.
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), Syracuse, NY, 29 Nov
St Helen’s Well, near Market Weighton, Yorkshire, 7pm Nov 30: Yorkshire Life Cairn ceremony
Devon, UK: Artist led walk, 2/12
A walk through Tungsten mine in Devon with mythogeographic walking artists Crab and Bee to commemorate the last wolves of Dartmoor in the 1780s. The event was also to raise awareness of the ongoing habitat destruction on southern Dartmoor.
Syracuse (NY), USA: Day of events at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 29/11
ESF students, faculty and staff observed Remembrance Day for Lost Species Thursday, Nov. 29 to pause from their work and explore the stories of extinct and critically endangered species, cultures, lifeways and ecological communities.
Brian Ratcliffe, a graduate student was the principle organiser, curating a day of events centred around the themes of extinction, memory, emotion and community.
Events included:
–A grief and healing ceremony: featuring music, poetry, stories, ritual and food.
–An extinction gallery: a slideshow depicting species from the region who are endangered, threatened or extinct.
–A remembrance circle: space for people to leave flowers, stones, photos, drawings, notes, candles or anything else left in a spirit of honor and remembrance.
-Letter-Writing Campaign in Defense of the Endangered Species Act
Mural creation: student artists facilitated the collective creation of a mural made from rubbish which was to result in an image of an extinct species.
-Species appreciation walk: A student led a walk across the campus, pointing out plant species along the way and telling their storie
-Film screening of Black Ash Basketry: A Story of Cultural Resilience
Adrian Ventura
As part of his ‘sketch a day’ project, Adrian Ventura dedicated a sketch to the Vaquita for RDLS – a porpoise on the brink of extinction.
Tattoos
Charlotte Wrigley posted a photograph on twitter of her new tattoo depicting Steller’s Sea Cow to add to her collection of extinct species tattoos. (right)
Tattoo portrait of Martha, the last passenger pigeon for RDLS posted on Instagram (below) inspired by Kate Snowbird’s original painting.
London, UK: Drawing Session with Andrea Carr 30/11
‘Live drawing/ erasing’ at Studio 73
New work by artist and performer Andrea Carr. She drew the wild Atlantic salmon – a longstanding target of commercial fishing and habitat destruction – and then asked passersby in the street to rub sections of the drawing out.
Louise Pallister Louise Pallister posted a new print for RDLS 2018 on Twitter dedicated to the Thylacine, made extinct in 1936.
Brighton, UK: Remembrance swim
Cloe Ofori shared on twitter that she and others went for an ice cold swim in the sea in remembrance of Steller’s sea cow – reflecting on the “torture of extinction through the bitter cold of the water”. They then wrote pledges on stones and threw them into the water.
Svenja Meyerricks writing on ‘Remembrance, Lost Species and Parenthood’ for RDLS 2018
‘To grow a tiny person and nurture her with my body’s own milk was the most visceral reminder of my own mammalian nature and place in the wider biotic community.’
‘Moving beyond stuff and pets, the only meaningful way to love animals these days is to find our place in the wider biotic community once again with humility and awe.’
Full text here.
Sydney, Australia: thylacine office cushion
Simon from Sydney ‘drew’ a thylacine in sequins in his office’s cushion to mark Lost Species Day 2018 in hope that his colleagues would reflect on the reality of extinction with him.
Hapi and the Lost Species
Release new EP entitled ‘Human Nature Changes’ to coincide with RDLS.
Kate Tume/ Mother Eagle
New embroidery remembrance handkerchief series by Kate Tume. The first two are dedicated to the last Pyrenean Ibex (Celia, 2000) and Lonesome George, the last Pinta Island Tortoise (2012). Posted on Instagram.
Jill Bog
Jill created a new 2D video animation of Steller’s Sea Cow disappearing in the water for RDLS 2018 and posted it on Instagram.
Kat Lyons: poetry
Kat Lyons shared a poem she wrote thinking about extinction for RDLS on Instagram. The title is ‘Ghosts on My Tongue’
Chris Lochner
Chris Lochner exhibited his botanical illustrations of extinct and endangered plant species at Verge Exhibition in Australia which coincided with RDLS 2018. The image depicts The Pink Satyr, an endangered species of orchid.
Glasgow, UK: An Urban Dive 30/11
‘Urban Divers continued their research into climate destabilisation and marine biodiversity loss with a dive down Buchanan St, Glasgow. Wading through Black Friday remnants they searched for the 90% of large fish lost in the last 50 years due to human activity.’ (@LostSpeciesDay)
