Tag: natural environment

Wish you were here…

Riesen-Wünschelrute – Land Art Installation in Tenna als Teil von Art Safiental von Penelope Richardson. Die Künstlerin hat den Birkenstamm als Totholz in der Rheinschlucht bei Versam gesammelt und nach Tenna gebracht. Dort hat sie den Stamm bearbeitet und mit Neon Farbe besprüht und auf einem Hügel, inmitten einer Blumenwiese, platziert damit dieser hier Wünsche sammeln kann.

Penelope Richardson kommt aus Australien und lebt in Deutschland. Sie war Teilnehmerin der Alp Arts Academy, die vom 26.6. – 2.7.2016 in Tenna statt fand. Ihr Titel für das Werk ist “Ich wünsche ich wäre dort”. Die Ausstellung von verschiedensten Werken im ganzen Safiental dauert noch bis am 16. Oktober 2016.

“My giant wishing pole is made out of wood collected from the Rheinschlucht below Versam and transported to Tenna. It is placed in the earth looking up to the skies on a hill full of wild flowers and herbs and is waiting to collect wishes.
I invite people to take a short walk to the wishing pole to experience the details in the landscape, and the quiet majesty at the top. It is possible to put your hand on the work and make a wish.

Birch wood from Rheinschlucht painted with red neon spot colour, 260 cm high  x 20 cm diameter.” Penelope Richardson (artsafiental.ch)

Penelope Richardson is an artist from Australia, living in Germany. She was participating in the Alp Arts Academy, happening in Tenna from June 26 to July 2, 2016. Her title for the installation is “I wish I was there”. The exhibition of a variety of works spread out across the entire Safien Valley will remain until October 16, 2016.

Unseasonal – Blüten im Winter?

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Bei einem kurzen Spaziergang habe ich diese alte Weide entdeckt, die auf den ersten Blick voller Schneekügelchen war. Das erwarte ich auch Mitte Januar. Bei genauerer Betrachtung stellte es sich heraus, dass die jedoch Weidenkätzchen sind.

Diese alte Weide, die auf 1680 müM steht, scheint sich – nach Aussage der Bauernfamilie im Oberhus – jedes Jahr sehr früh auf die Blüte vor zu bereiten, ohne dass ihr der Frost und der Schnee etwas anhaben.

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On a short hike, I encountered this old willow. At first sight it was decorated with tiny snowballs. I would at least expect that in the middle of January. However, upon closer inspection, these were all catkins.

This old willow, growing at above 5,500 feet elevation, seems to prepare for the bloom very early each year, according to the farmers nearby. Frost and snow do not seem to bother the old tree.

Winter Wonder Land

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Winter Wonder Land in the Safien Valley (Nature Park Beverin), Switzerland

Winterlandschaft im Safiental (Natur Park Beverin), Schweiz

 

To see the full size panorama, please come and visit; for a larger picture, click on the image to enjoy it – Um das Panorama in voller Grösse zu sehen, komm bitte auf Besuch. Für ein grösseres Photo klicke bitte auf das Bild um es geniessen zu können.

The nights are as spectacular as the days! – Die Nächte sind mindestens so spektakulär wie die Tage.

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Simplicity in the marketplace

As we were gathered in silence this Sunday, it was easy to listen to and to hear the raindrops outside.”

The reference to rain shows that I wrote this account of my thoughts back in October when I was worshipping with the Victoria Friends Meeting – here in the Yukon it is currently -35 degrees and no rain in sight!

I was contemplating on the various ways they follow their journey in their natural cycle. Some of them will fall on the earth, the ground that is receptive to soak them up, to store it for the plants, and to release it in the cycle later. Others will run off and pool in a depression, being available for animals to quench their thirst. Yet others will fall on a roof, go down the gutter, onto the concrete, run off the roadways, into the sewer system and the storm drains. Some of them will need to go through a water treatment plant before they are released back into the wild, allowing them to join the natural cycle again.

Water - the essence of Life
Water – the essence of Life

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Walking Home – a short film

“Walking Home – A contemplative journey along the Yukon River” is a short film conceptualized, directed, and produced by Othmar F. Arnold, with feedback and support from Celia McBride; filmed in Whitehorse, Yukon (Canada).

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Valuing democracy – playing by the rules

I was asked to contribute to the ongoing consultation process for the Peel Watershed Regional Land Use Plan. Here are my thoughts:

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Monolith Mountain in the Tombstone Territorial Park. A protected natural space in the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in traditional territory adjacent to the Peel River watershed.

Feedback Peel Watershed Regional Land Use Plan Consultation

My personal opinion is that the Peel River region has sufficient natural value to be designated as a whole (=100%) a protected area similar to a National Park. However, I see that various stakeholders have an interest in accessing some resources in the Peel River watershed:

For First Nations it is an area for subsistence, primarily fishing, but also hunting, berry picking and the collection of other plant materials for medicinal uses. As the representatives of a colonial power, the Yukon Government also has to realize that the Peel River watershed has spiritual values to the indigenous people of that area, the people that have lived on the land for centuries, that live on the land today, and the ones yet-to-come. This land is part of the people – a concept that is hard to grasp for us Westerners who have developed property rights, buy and sell real estate like a commodity, with no emotional or spiritual attachment, and see us as enlightened beings separate from the natural world.

Continue reading “Valuing democracy – playing by the rules” →