User:Jontreeguy/sandbox/The Forest - Common Ground

THE FOREST – COMMON GROUND (TFCG)

THE CONCEPT

Creating an immersive experience.

Using the photographic images from Alberta’s forests created by Jon Havelock (TFCG founder and creator) as the prototype, we are building two separate and diverse national and international forests, respectively including species from all parts of Canada and different corners of the globe, each coexisting as a single unified forest. The Canadian Forest will have more than 200 trees and images of groundcover (for Nunavut) presented in two complementary, though distinct "styles", with at least five from each of the ten provinces and 3 territories. The International Forest will have at least 193 trees, being one from each country recognized as such by the United Nations, and such other territories and de jure sovereign states (e.g., Greenland, Palestine, etc.) as the initiative organizers may determine. There is no limit on the number of trees which may be selected for display as single images. The intent of each exhibit is to create an immersive experience that draws people into a virtual form of “forest bathing.”

A call for submissions was issued to photographers from across Canada in the spring of 2020 (outreach is a continuous process) to submit images to create the final Canadian Forest exhibit. Contributing photographers followed precise guidelines to ensure the quality and consistency of images. Submitted work is curated and the selected images integrated into the final art installation. The schedule for the Canadian Forest exhibition is not yet available. The intention is to be ready to launch in Edmonton in the summer of 2024/5 at the Convention Centre (approx. 15-day exhibition). Other Canadian exhibition sites will then follow. The International Forest installation will be launched after the completion of the Canadian Forest design and creation.

WHY TFCG?

In a recent BBC global survey conducted by IPSOS in 2018, three-quarters of respondents said their country’s society is divided – and most think it’s more divided now than it was a decade ago. Differences in political views were seen as the greatest cause of tension, followed by disparity between rich and poor. Yet despite these divisions, the majority agreed people across the world have more things in common than things that make them different. The Gallup 2019 Global Emotions Report found another disconcerting trend. Based on interviews with 150,000+ adults in more than 140 countries in 2018, people were more worried, sadder, and angrier than ever before.

Consistent with this are the findings of a 2019 Angus Reid poll in Canada, which indicated three in five Canadians are concerned about the future of the next generation. Climate change remains our No. 1 issue – yet we don’t agree on the best way to fight it. And there's an increasing mood of inter-regional dissatisfaction, alienation, and fragmentation. TFCG responds to these concerns. It showcases an important aspect of our natural landscape and celebrates the universal appeal of the forest as both sanctuary and sustainer – supporting a diverse, strong and accepting community of common understanding.

THE TFCG PHASES

Phase 1 - The National Meetup

From mid-July through to late October 2021, Jon Havelock travelled to every Province and Territory in Canada, meeting with amateur and professional photographers (+300 participants, including High School students), to photograph trunks for the installation. The total estimated distance travelled of 42,594.33 K’s included 582.33 K’s walked, 17,101 K’s driven and 24,911 K’s flown. Jon’s travels in Alberta, his home Province, were incurred in 2018 through to 2020 and are included in the totals.

The trip generated thousands of images, which are currently being processed for inclusion in the installation.

Phase 2 - First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Themes

The intention is to reflect First Nations, Metis, and Inuit cultures and themes throughout the installation. This will be done in a respectful manner to educate Canadians generally as to the Residential Schools’ issue while celebrating the culture and importance of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples in Canada.

In that regard, Jon Havelock is currently seeking input and advice from, and the involvement of, First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities (e.g., trunks and lichens photographed by community members). The goal is to have at least one First Nations, Metis, and/or Inuit community from each Province and Territory in the country represented in the installation.

Phase 3 - Installation Creation

Creating and displaying the installation will require volunteer and financial support across several areas – construction of the trunks and associated support (e.g., lighting, audio, etc.), shipping, advertising, marketing, and staffing of the retail operations. At this time, the overall effort is supported by a committed group of volunteers. THE TFCG LOGO

Celebrating diversity and common purpose.

The logo for The Forest – Common Ground, designed by Juliana Laface with input from our volunteer team, incorporates a variety of trees – some having the same shape, some being tall and others short, but each being different. The individual trees are connected by “common ground” with the box (or ground) containing the name. All of this is tied together with the use of a skin tone color palette representing all races and ethnicities – resulting in a forest that celebrates our differences while recognizing our interdependencies.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Partnering to make our planet better. The Forest – Common Ground is committed to the sustainment and re-establishment of forests in Canada and throughout the world for the current and future generations. All net Canadian exhibition and retail proceeds will be donated to various charitable organizations dedicated to reforestation, environmental preservation, and climate change initiatives in Canada.

TFCG MEDIA COVERAGE

CBC Information Morning (Nova Scotia) with Portia Clark: September 29, 2021 - Meet the man travelling coast to coast to capture photos of Canada's trees

Telegraph-Journal (New Brunswick) – Matthew Daigle: September 2021 - National photography installation stops in New Brunswick

StittsvilleCentral.ca (Ontario) – Leslie McKay: September 15, 2021 - Celebrating our diversity and common purpose through the art of the forest – a visit to Barkwood Forest

The Daily Press (Timmins, Ontario) – Andrew Autio: September 8, 2021 - Havelock sees the forest for the trees

CTV News North (Timmins, Ontario) – Sergio Arangio: September 8, 2021 - Man visits Timmins as part of photography project

NNSL Media (Yellowknife, NT) – Andrea Eymann: August 31, 2021 - Going out on a limb: photographer shoots trees across Canada

Airplay with Dave White (Whitehorse, Yukon) | Live Radio | CBC Listen: August 26, 2021 - Building a forest with photos of trees