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Whakatū banner - young girl with camera
Whakatū banner - young girl with camera

Image credit: Raymond Sagapolutele.

Our place. climate. world.

Through the Eye of the Lens – Whakatū

Sixteen young Whakatū students from Nelson Intermediate School  explored climate change through the lens of a camera. They workshopped climate issues with Earth Systems Scientists Dr Jamey Stutz and Claudia Moore, then learned the tools from award winning Photographers: Auckland-based Raymond Sagapolutele and Nelson-local Tatsiana Chypsanava.

THROUGH THE EYE OF THE LENS – WHAKATŪ

21 – 31 October 2021

IN COLLABORATION WITH:

Nelson Arts Festival 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
Whakatū students learning camera angle skills

View festival programme

MAJOR SUPPORTER:

Creative NZ logo

SUPPORTERS:

Ministry for the Environment logo
Nelson Provincial Museum Logo

Testimonials

‘This project uses the beauty of images and powerful statements as a vehicle to invite audiences to consider young people’s views about climate change. Combining art and science helps to tell the climate story in a different way so that we listen – helping to create a positive narrative about the future this generation wants to see.  Showing their work alongside professional photographers makes their message even more compelling. A lasting experience for the young people, their communities and exhibition goers.’

Rose CampbellCo-Director, Nelson Arts Festival 2021

‘This project was about kids feeling seen and part of something bigger. Kids were given facts, data, evidence of climate change, and an opportunity to express themselves through the lens of a camera using art – what a beautiful way to apply culture and prior knowledge.  It opened up space for whanau and students to connect with expert climate scientists and professional photographers. It lifted them up so they realised they don’t have to wait to take action – it built their resilience.  They realised they can have a voice and we want them to be change agents.’

Sarah JohnsSTEAM Team Leader, Nelson Intermediate School

‘Thanks for the opportunity for our daughter to participate, it’s lovely to see her so engaged.’

MaiParent of Whakatū student

‘It was so fun and a great experience.  I learned so much and didn’t want to stop.  Thank you so much.  I loved it.’

RoaldAge 11, Whakatū

‘I enjoyed going outside and taking photos and going into the environment to explore.’

PipiAge 10, Whakatū

‘Thanks! Lovely to have my son feeling engaged with something positive and proactive relating to climate change.’

JenParent of Whakatū 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 Scientists  Dr Jamey Stutz and Claudia Moore

Afterwards they met artists Raymond Sagapolutele and Tatsiana Chypsanava and learned about photography to express their views about climate change from their unique points of view.

  • Earth scientists Dr Jamey Stutz and Claudia Moore workshopping climate science with young students and their families. Image credit: Raymond Sagapolutele.

    Earth scientists Dr Jamey Stutz and Claudia Moore workshopping climate science with young students and their families
  • Earth scientists Dr Jamey Stutz and Claudia Moore workshopping climate science with young Whakatū students and their families. Image credit: Raymond Sagapolutele

    Earth scientists Dr Jamey Stutz and Claudia Moore workshopping climate science with young Whakatū students and their families
  • Track Zero’s Founder, Sarah Meads, at the climate science workshop held in the Nelson Provincial Museum education room. Image credit: Raymond Sagapolutele.

    Track Zero's Founder, Sarah Meads, at the climate science workshop held in the Nelson Provincial Museum education room.
  • A young student compares her height against predicted sea level rise triggered by climate change with earth scientist Claudia Moore. Image credit: Sarah Meads

    A young student compares her height against predicted sea level rise triggered by climate change with earth scientist Claudia Moore
  • Photographer, Raymond Sagapolutele, meeting young students at the climate science talk before workshopping photography skills. Image credit: Sarah Meads

    Photographer, Raymond Sagapolutele, meeting young students at the climate science talk before workshopping photography skills
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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://

Photographic Workshop

Good storytelling can change minds. The power of a photograph lies not in the way that it represents reality, but in the way it engages our imagination and involves us in the story that unfolds in the image. Award winning photographers, Auckland-based Raymond Sagapolutele and Tatsiana Chypsanava, shared their creative expertise and taught the young Whakatū students how to use their cameras to become their own storytellers.

Wild Wetlands Satellite image

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

IN THE MEDIA

Nelson Art exhibition showcases rangatahi perspective on climate change.

Nelson Arts Festival launches free photography exhibition

Raymond Sagapolutele

Raymond Sagapolutele

Award winning Aotearoa-born Sāmoan artist, Raymond Sagapolutele says the camera has become a vital part of his ability to reconnect with cultural ties to Pacific history, the land and ocean. Speaking through images gives his visual language a voice – the method that forms his oratory and connects to the Samoan tradition of Fagogo (storytelling).

Tatsiana.Chypsavana.Image supplied by the artist

Tatsiana Chypsanava

Documentary photographer Tatsiana Chypsanava is a multiple year winner and a finalist in the NZ Geographic Photographer of the Year competition and member of Women Photograph, Up Next Diversify Photo and Toru Collective. Her work is shown internationally. Her work for the global COVID-19 Anxiety Project was exhibited at the Auckland Photography Festival 2021.

Through the Eye of Whakatū Graphic
  • Group of young students exploring storytelling using a camera lens. Image credit Raymond Sagapolutele

    Group of young students exploring storytelling using a camera lens. Image credit Raymond Sagapolutele
  • Whakatū students workshopped camera skills with expert photographers Tatsiana Chypsanava and Raymond Sagapolutele. Image credit Raymond Sagapolutele

    Whakatū students workshopped camera skills with expert photographers Tatsiana Chypsanava and Raymond Sagapolutele. Image credit Raymond Sagapolutele
  • Whakatū students practising camera skills in their local environment with expert photographers. Image credit Raymond Sagapolutele

    Whakatū students practising camera skills in their local environment with expert photographers. Image credit Raymond Sagapolutele
  • Group of students learning to look for photographic subjects guided by expert photographers. Image credit Raymond Sagapolutele

    Group of students learning to look for photographic subjects guided by expert photographers. Image credit Raymond Sagapolutele
  • Whakatū students learning close-up camera skills. Image credit Raymond Sagapolutele

    Whakatū students learning close-up camera skills. Image credit Raymond Sagapolutele
  • Students practising the use of different camera angles with expert photographers Tatsiana Chypsanava and Raymond Sagapolutele. Image credit Raymond Sagapolutele

    Students practising the use of different camera angles with expert photographers Tatsiana Chypsanava and Raymond Sagapolutele. Image credit Raymond Sagapolutele
  • Group of students and teachers taking part in Through the Eye of Whakatū. Image credit Raymond Sagapolutele

    Group of students and teachers taking part in Through the Eye of Whakatū. Image credit Raymond Sagapolutele
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Festival Exhibition

Photos taken by the young students and photographers were displayed in a print and digital exhibition mounted in the windows of Nelson Provincial Museum, facing outwards to the viewing public.

Nelson Arts Festival 2021 launched the exhibition at a lively opening ceremony with speakers, a performance by the School’s Kapa Haka group and the inspiring students who took part in the project. Visited by hundreds of Festival-goers, students and the general public, the exhibition runs during the Festival 21 – 31 October 2021.

Aligning with its policy of caring for the environment, the Museum actively sourced eco-friendly material for the exhibition – enviro-board made of recycled plastic for the substrate; PVC-free recyclable for printing material; water-based latex printing ink – sourced from the only Carbon Positive signwriters in the top of the South Island. Also, recycling wastage material to make fence posts through “Future Posts”.

We are grateful to the Nelson Arts Festival for their ongoing commitment to the project as COVID-19 forced events to be cancelled from this year’s exciting festival programme.

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The @newzealandbookawards longlist has been announ The @newzealandbookawards longlist has been announced! Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry 2023 includes ’Surrender’ by @michaelakeeble - a remarkable author who works in multiple ways towards anticolonial social justice, including #climatejustice. 
Track Zero is proud to have provided early development support to Michaela through an art + sci project called ‘What if Climate Change was Purple?’https://trackzero.nz/project/michaela-keeble-taraheke-bushlawyer/
‘Surrender' is published by Taraheke | BushLawyer. 
Congratulations Michaela and to all the authors and their publishers #theockhams
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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

Copyright and Trade Mark Notice

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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