"On the Brink"
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Provided by: Sea Walls|Published on: July 11, 2022
ArtworkScientist Reviewed
89101112
Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This mural by Li Hill showcases the interaction between polar bears and humans at a hot spot along the migration route of polar bears.
- Hill's artist statement provides insight and opportunities for discussion regarding the current threats that exist for both wild animals and humans.
Subjects: Science, Visual and Performing Arts
Authors: Li Hill
Region: North America, Polar Regions
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- Students bring their own ideas and interpretations to the artwork that add to the artist's intention.
- This mural focuses on the interaction of animals and people that are a result of the changes humans have made to the animal's habitat.
Additional Prerequisites
- Exploring the map that is included on the webpage will deepen the understanding of the migratory pressures that push the bears into the path of people in Churchill, Canada.
Differentiation
- The repetitive images of both the officer and the bear echo cave paintings; a lesson could be developed comparing images from 15,000 years ago to this mural.
- A discussion between the instinctive behavior of the bear and the calculated altruistic behavior of the officer can be used to emphasize our responsibility to act with reason and compassion as caretakers of our environment.
- The artist's choice of color and number of colors could be used in a lesson about how to emphasize an emotion with a limited color palette.
- Other resources related to these topics include this mural about marine animals' anger towards human's impact on the environment and this lesson about polar climates.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
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Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
PangeaSeed Foundation
PangeaSeed Foundation is a globally engaged nonprofit organization acting at the intersection of culture and environmentalism to further the conservation of our oceans. Its mission is to empower individuals and communities to create meaningful environmental change for the oceans by raising public awareness of critical environmental issues through SCIENCE, EDUCATION, and ARTIVISM (S.E.A.). Through their groundbreaking Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans public art program, PangeaSeed Foundation has created over 400 educational ocean advocacy murals in 17 countries, bringing the ocean into streets across the globe.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
