Helmut Lemke is one of the artists working with the WetlandLIFE project, part of the Valuing Nature Programme. As part of the #art4wetlands leading up to the Ramsar Intergovernmental Convention on Wetlands’ COP (Conference of the Parties) we are highlighting the role of artists in environmental research. In this piece Helmut offers his “thoughts on scientists, artists, collaborations”.
On Sunday 28th October (18.15 in Room 7) the WetlandLIFE team will host a side event at the Ramsar Intergovernmental Convention on Wetlands‘ 13th COP in Dubai. The event focuses on ‘Sense of Place & Wellbeing in Wetlands: Using Film & the Arts to achieve SDG3’.
to be curious
to observe with senses and minds
to develop questions
to create ways n methods to answer those questions
to enjoy a playful rumination of models of inquiry
to gather knowledge
to share knowledge
all of the above is human – none of the above is specific to one gender, one cast, one religion, one race, one profession
all of the above happens in time – none of the above has an end result
there is no answer following from the above that does not lead to further questions
all of the following (in no particular order):
ownership, copyrights, the notion of the ‘genius’,
research profiles, impact & esteem
are expressions of artificial hierarchies and
the result of a system that values any increase in knowledge
in terms of financial/monetary profit & status
however, because neither ‘artificial hierarchies’ nor ‘financial profits’ or status
have so far contributed to the development of
the understanding and acceptance of us humans
as equals in the ecological system we are part of
or to the creation of a fairer society,
it is of crucial importance to replace
artificial hierarchies with equality
and
the thrive for capital gain and status with the joy of sharing
therefore
ONE SHOULD NOT ASK, ‘WHY TO COLLABORATE?’ BUT
‘WHY NOT TO COLLABORATE?’
and, by the way, I assume that knowledge and understanding reaches beyond the rational
MY ROLE IN THE WETLAND LIVE PROJECT
wherever I work I communicate,
that might be with people, with the environment or with (and through) my material and equipment.
I have learned to understand that my role as an artist is not that of a creator and maker, but to be promoter and advocate of what is very often already there and more often neglected, over’heard’ and/or over’looked’.
the process of communication and sharing has replaced the obsession with the product.
therefore when I am asked, “what (do) you think you can contribute and also what (do) you actually do to connect, ie your approach to connecting with the scientists and their research, wetlands and mosquitoes…” my answer is quite simple: I do what I always do.
I meet,
I share……….thoughts
…………………observations
…………………impressions
…………………experiences
…………………knowledge
…………………emotions
I wait for shared……thoughts
…………………………..observations
…………………………..impressions
…………………………..experiences
…………………………..knowledge
…………………………..emotions of others
I share through……..talk,
…………………………..listen,
…………………………..draw,
…………………………..write,
…………………………..read,
…………………………..sound,
…………………………..image
…………………………..poetry
some of the above is everyday medium
some is attributed to artists
all is interchangeable.
by being in a collaborative environment, where all participants through untested communication processes aim to create new, sometimes unpredicted outcomes those processes will flow on all levels in diverse directions. wherever communication media (language, image, other) need translation the collaborators will do so.
my contribution will be ‘me’ – where and what aspects of ‘me’ are useful will be determined by a collective process and by demands of the project group.
Helmut Lemke Is a German sound artist who moved to the UK in 1996. His international, and enthusiastically ecumenical practice, has lead him to work everywhere from the frozen seas round Greenland, to a palace in Venice for the 55th Biennale. Along the way he has collaborated with other Sound Artists and Musicians, with Dancers and Scientists, Visual Artists and Architects, Poets and Archaeologists, Performance Artists and Wildlife Rangers.
Since 1995 he has taught at art academies & universities in Germany, France, England, Finland, Thailand. From 1997 until 2000 he was lecturer at the pioneering Phonic Art Course in Hull He was Research Fellow in Interactive Arts (Media Events) at Manchester Metropolitan University in 1997 and hold an AHRC-Fellowship at the University of Salford from 2004 to 2007.