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Student taking part in Through the Eye of Taranaki
Student taking part in Through the Eye of Taranaki

Image credit: Camilla Rutherford

Our place. climate. world.

Through the Eye of the Lens – Taranaki

Fifteen Taranaki students from across the region (Highlands Intermediate School,  Manaia School, North Taranaki Home Educators, Patea Area School  and Spotswood College) explored climate change through the lens of a camera. They workshopped climate issues with Earth Systems Scientist Prof. Tim Naish, then learned camera skills from award winning Photographers: Camilla Rutherford and Taranaki-local Tania Niwa.  They were remotely supported by Auckland-based Raymond Sagapolutele (who was unable to travel due to COVID 19 travel restrictions).

THROUGH THE EYE OF THE LENS – TARANAKI

4 – 14 November 2021

IN COLLABORATION WITH:

TAFT logo

Exhibition

Be inspired by the photographs taken and curated by the young artists and photographers, expressing their views about climate change.

View the exhibition

Image credit: Camilla Rutherford

View festival programme

MAJOR SUPPORTER:

Creative NZ logo

SUPPORTER:

Logo MFE

Testimonials

‘Empowering young people to act on climate change in a way that makes sense to them is key to their future. The kids had a unique opportunity to work with professional photographers layering learning and understanding about climate change from expert scientists.  They loved being in a like minded group, having their views heard and calling themselves artists. We loved how  a range of different schools were involved, not just one, enabling a wide range of young people to participate. Every school really appreciated the opportunity to be part of this amazing project.’

Lauree JonesRegional Coordinator Taranaki Enviroschools

‘This project is a really fun way to learn photography skills and about our climate.’

MileyAge 12, Taranaki student

‘Art is a way to learn about history, different cultures and about science. The project linked  the different learning streams to climate change in an accessible, high quality art experience for young people from a range of schools across the region, and importantly, gave access to rangatahi who don’t normally have it. The students, their families and the schools were really proud of their work. The project was an invaluable opportunity for the Festival to collaborate with our local schools, artists, and agencies on a regional focused issue that was reinforced by having these important regional voices linked to a national project.’ 

Megan BrownArtistic Director, Taranaki Arts Festival Trust (TAFT) 2021

‘I loved how we could capture beauty, emotion and diversity within our images. ‘

Maia ReadAge 13, Taranaki student

‘My daughter has loved this experience. Every day she has come home full of ideas and motivation to do tasks asked of her.  Thank you for all your time and energy in creating such a beautiful experience. Ngā mihi nui.’

EmilyParent of Taranaki student

‘This has been a great opportunity for our children. Learning about climate change and capturing it with the camera will create a powerful visual impact for the public to experience.  Great that so many passionate people were part of putting this together. ‘

JanitaParent of Taranaki student

Exploring climate science

The young artists and their families took part in an interactive workshop called, ‘Ice, Balloons and Zero Carbon: Climate Science Talk’ led by expert Earth Systems and Climate Scientist, Dr Tim Naish. Afterwards they met artists Camilla Rutherford and Tania Niwa and learned about photography and were encouraged to think about how the changing climate is affecting the world they live in.

  • Prof. Tim Naish shows Taranaki students how high sea levels are going to rise. Image credit: Camilla Rutherford.

  • Taranaki students and Track Zero Founder Sarah Meads conducting a science experiment. Image credit: Camilla Rutherford.

  • Learning about heat exchange. When is it going to burst? Image credit: Camilla Rutherford.

  • Students managing their body temperature, simulating global warming. Image credit: Camilla Rutherford.

  • Sarah Meads and Taranaki student. Image credit: Camilla Rutherford.

  • Tania Niwa and students workshopping climate science. Image credit: Camilla Rutherford.

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Climate Science Facts

Stop fossil fuels = Stop adding greenhouse gas

As soon as we stop burning fossil fuels and stop adding greenhouse gas to the air, we stop global warming.

https://https://

Stop warming now

The sooner we stop the warming, the less damage there will be, to us and to all ecosystems.

https://https://

Atmosphere

The atmosphere has more greenhouse gas in it today than it has had for 3 million years.

https://https://

Half of CO2

Half of all the carbon dioxide humanity has added to the air has been put there since 1990.

https://https://

2°C warming

At 2°C warming, the Great Barrier Reef and all tropical coral reefs worldwide, will be dead. At 1.5°C warming, we may save 20% of the tropical corals.

https://https://

More than 2°C warming

More than 2°C warming will lock in 5-10 metres of sea level rise over coming centuries

https://https://

Every bit counts

Every 1/10th of a degree of warming adds to the number of extreme heatwaves, floods and droughts. We can make a difference by reducing greenhouse gas – every bit counts.

https://https://

Taranaki could receive up to 20% more rain

causing widespread flooding, however it will also experience more droughts. The climate extremes will become more extreme.

https://https://

Everyone can make a difference on climate change

by reducing our own carbon footprints and calling on government and business to take action to reduce emissions.

https://https://

Photographic Workshop

The students were each given a free camera they got to keep.  Over the next four days award winning photographers, Camilla Rutherford and Taranaki-local Tania Niwa shared their creative expertise and taught the young artists how to use their cameras to become their own storytellers.

  • Tania Niwa teaching camera skills before students head outside to practise. Image credit: Camilla Rutherford.

  • Exploring different perspectives and light. Image credit: Camilla Rutherford.

  • Practising portraiture in nature. Image credit: Camilla Rutherford.

  • Student capturing details of nature. Image credit: Camilla Rutherford.

  • Students exploring different photographic backgrounds. Image credit: Camilla Rutherford.

  • Learning to use the camera to tell stories about nature. Image credit: Camilla Rutherford.

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Background image used above – USGS – Earth as Art series 6. ‘Irritated’

IN THE MEDIA

Taranaki photographic exhibition goes ahead, despite other events suffering Covid related cancellation.

EXHIBITION ON TOUR

Aotea Utanganui – Museum of South Taranaki and Lysaght Watt Gallery, Hāwera

Camilla Rutherford

Camilla Rutherford

Scottish-born photographer Camilla Rutherford has traveled the world shooting adventure sports, lifestyle and commercial photography, gaining a reputation as a world-class snow photographer. Camilla is incredibly passionate about New Zealand’s unique and diverse landscapes.

www.camillarutherford.co.nz

 

Tania Niwa

Te Ātiawa, Taranaki, Ngāruahine

Leading photographic Māori artist and Grand Master of Photography Tania Niwa is a commercial, portrait and fine art photographer operating in her home city of New Plymouth and Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Her photography is all about connecting, capturing and reflecting upon the essence, character and soul of people, their families, environment and culture.

www.tanianiwa.com

Through the Eye of Taranaki logo

Exhibition

Photos taken by the young students and photographers were displayed in a print exhibition in Taranaki’s landmark gallery – the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.

Taranaki Arts Festival Trust (TAFT) launched the exhibition at a lively opening ceremony with speakers and the inspiring students who took part in the project. Gallery educators will run a series of climate change workshops for school children alongside the exhibition.  Visited by hundreds of students and the general public, the exhibition runs 4 – 14 November 2021.

We are grateful to TAFT for their ongoing commitment to the project as COVID-19 forced the RESET2021 Festival to be postponed until next year.

Exhibition on tour

Following the event at Govett-Brewster Art Gallery the photography exhibition went on tour for three months to Aotea Utanganui – Museum of South Taranaki and Lysaght Watt Gallery, Hāwera. In Hāwera, the student’s work was supported by an exhibition in the same venue featuring work by Photographer Tania Niwa and seven other Māori women artists, titled Whakakitiakitanga.

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trackzeronz

UN just released a "survival guide for humanity", UN just released a "survival guide for humanity", which said the world is rapidly approaching catastrophic levels of heating with international climate goals set to slip out of reach unless immediate and radical action is taken. 
The synthesis report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the culmination of almost six years of work by thousands of scientists representing the most comprehensive summary of human knowledge on our climate. The report is agreed on by all governments involved. 
It also crucially declares we will "likely" fail to reach the 1.5-degree target aimed at preventing the most catastrophic consequences of climate change. The world has already warmed by 1.1C and now experts say that it is likely to breach 1.5C in the 2030s. Current policies have us on course for 2.7C, as per @climateactiontr
New IPCC Synthesis Report here: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/
In response to the findings, UN secretary general Antonio Guterres says that all countries should bring forward their net zero plans by a decade. These targets are supposed to rapidly cut the greenhouse gas emissions that warm our planet's atmosphere.
Read more: 'UN Climate Report: Scientists release survival guide to avert climate disaster’ RNZ World: https://bit.ly/3JtmLZ3
One of the Report's figures relates to the fairness across generations. The generation of kids born in 2010s will face substantially more heatwaves, heavy rainfall  and droughts during an average lifetime than their grandparents.
It's time to act and give #climateactionnow everything we've got!
Images - some figures from IPCC 'AR6 Synthesis Report. Climate Change 2023' and report cover page
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Contact details

General inquiries email:
info@trackzero.nz

To contact the Founder & Trustee Manager Sarah Meads:

sarah.meads@trackzero.nz
+64 21 113 8858

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The Track Zero website includes images and materials from a variety of sources. We endeavour to credit the copyright holders of reproduced work/and or provide links to the relevant source. If you wish to utilise any of the content from this website, other than linking directly to the Track Zero website, please contact us directly.

Track Zero is an independent charity that aims to deliver creative platforms working with the arts, science and other sectors, to inspire transformative climate change action.
TRACK ZERO™ is a Trade Mark of the Track Zero Trust.
© Track Zero 2023 - All rights reserved. Website by Zon Consultancy
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