Social Arts
‘Tar Sands: Time Is Running Out,’ 2010. Acrylics on Canvas. 20ft X 24ft.
Sixty people, from kids to elders, came to learn and share knowledge on the project of the tar sands in northern Alberta through the creation this large mobile mural documenting the reflections and insights. The painting process, co-facilitated with Sara Kendall, took only one month with the intention to unveil it at the G20 (Group of Twenty, an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 19 countries and the European Union (EU) happening in Toronto.
The Tar Sands is the most destructive project in human history, and we think this is an important story to share. The painting is stored in Coast Salish Territories, Vancouver, and it is available for educators, community organizers, activists, artists and leaders to use at events and actions. The panting also hold an engaging scavenger hunt that provides facts of the Tar Sands Project.
Lead Artists/Facilitators: Sara Kendall and Melanie Schambach
...“ocean, land, light, spirit breath, i invoke your journey to guide the awakening dream of those who would harm you. all life shall join the struggle.”
"Do You Want T Know About Canada’s Dirtiest Secret?"
...the fish swimming up stream? Communities who traditionally rely on the Athabasca and other rivers are now advised to not use the water at all. New proposals on escalating production violate the national and human rights of many indigenous nations.
...the 700 ft deep gash in the earth (hint: the trucks and barrels are set to real-life scale) The tar sands project makes 5 times more green house gases than conventional oil mining (more than what all cars in Canada produce), yet they are advertised as the new ‘green’ energy source.
...the person drinking oil Some Indigenous communities in the tar sands area still don’t have access to running water. ...the Canadian parliament The conservative government has given 100% approval rating to every company that applied to extract oil from the tar sands. The toxic tailing ponds are visible from outer space.
"The most destructive project in human history"
...how much land the tar sands span in Alberta? An area bigger than the state of Florida, the tar sand bitumen sits on 150,000 sq km.
"Time is Running Out"