The Tahoe Science Consortium collaborated with University of Nevada, Reno’s Department of Art to create “Visualizing Change,” a photographic art expedition intended to convey concepts in environmental restoration at Lake Tahoe to the scientific community and general public. The exhibit , is located in the Prim Desert Research Library at Sierra Nevada College at Lake Tahoe’s Incline Village. It features photography and oil painting contributions from eight noted artists and is free and open to the public through July 27.
“Visualizing Change” is inspired by University of Nevada, Reno’s art department chair Peter Goin’s initiative to encourage a convergence of science and the arts to raise awareness on Lake Tahoe’s environmental sustainability. Goin and fellow art instructor Megan Berner worked together with the Tahoe Science Consortium to create an art exhibit that takes a look at how art acts as an agent of change, interpretation and revelation.
“Photography plays an important role in scientific observation and analysis,” Berner said. “I really hope that it acts as an entry point for people to feel more connection to the places they interact with and to see their role within those environments.”
The visual effects of the exhibit provide an alternate way for viewers to understand various pivotal environmental issues within the geographical context of the Tahoe Basin.
“There is something uniquely valuable about considering beauty and artistic interpretation as we seek to resolve Lake Tahoe’s environmental challenges,” Goin said. “The exhibit presents the fine arts as a partner in educating people on environmental sustainability.”
“Visualizing Change” focuses on various concepts in environmental restoration including ecosystem recovery post major wildfire and the benefits of wetland preservation. As the environment continues to change, visual tools are likely to become an essential tool for humans to monitor ecosystem change and the impacts of environmental management actions.
The exhibit is an extension of the Tahoe Science Consortium’s annual Tahoe Science Conference held in May at Incline Village, which provided an opportunity for attendees to discuss the future environmental sustainability and health of Lake Tahoe. The theme of this year’s conference was “Environmental Restoration in a Changing Climate,” with the goal of encouraging creative dialogue about how to protect high-alpine ecosystems under changing environmental and economic climates. More than 350 scientists, environmental policy makers and economic stakeholders attended the conference.
