Clare Bryden

Green|Blue: Drop Slow Tears

 

“Green|Blue” visualises the Environment Agency dataset on Risk of Flooding from Rivers and Sea, orienting each of 21 river catchments to appear as a ‘tree’. The view from above has become normalised. Satnavs, OS Maps, and city plans give the impression of omniscience and omnipotence. The notion of ‘flood risk’ calls our knowledge and power into question in the face of uncertainty and the force of nature. What seems to be the most solid and robust is in reality the most fragile and vulnerable. Changing the perspective, looking slant, confers a new understanding and humility. Letting go of our illusions is a process that requires grieving.

Mirror Tear of the river Exe catchment. Tears are laser cut and engraved on mirror-backed acrylic. Each measures 60mm x 44mm, and comes with a card describing the work, including artist’s signature and date.

Clare Bryden is an artist, writer and freelance website developer based in Exeter. Her interests are primarily in how human beings affect and are affected by the natural world of which we are part, and the related theology and psychology of connectedness. Her creative practice springs from her desire to communicate environmental and social issues; her need for hope and energy in keeping on and her habit of making connections and finding patterns.

Clare’s environmental art typically takes data visualisation into whole new areas. Her background is in science, economics, energy and the environment, including employment at Cambridge Econometrics and the Met Office. She is a Stakeholder Resident at Kaleider in Exeter, and a member of the art.earth+CCANW network. She is also an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Exeter. All is grist to her mill.

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