In Humans, Nature and Birds: Science Art from Cave Walls to Computer Screens (Yale University Press, 2008) we encouraged the production of Science Art (the pairing of an accurate, evocative image of nature with a caption that provides a science lens) and its use in public spaces to inform passersby about species who share the area.
Campus Overview
The main Stanford campus, with its grasslands, woodlands, seasonal lake, 25 fountains and more than 800 species of plants hosts a wide array of fauna including, for example, more than 100 species of birds. Not surprisingly, the birds tend to cluster in a number of hot spots such as the Arboretum (including the Cactus Garden and the area around the Mausoleum), Lake Lag (and the oaks surrounding it), portions of the Dish area and, within the Central Campus, areas that attract seed-eating, nectar-eating and woodland species and areas for outdoor eating that attract human commensals.
The Audubons
Ten portayals of birds by John James Audubon have been installed in nine campus buildings near exits that open toward areas the portrayed birds tend to frequent. Each includes a label providing an icon identifying the Audubon as part of a Stanford venture, the display’s QR Code and the project’s URL. The web presentation includes a Science Art caption, campus locations of the featured bird provided by Steve Rottenborn (Stanford Ph.D., 1997) and Donald Kennedy, information on sustainability issues and links to viewer-submitted images and studies.
We hope this pilot project is just the beginning. The exits of many of the 700 buildings on campus open onto areas that support birds and other wildlife, and Art at Exits: Seeing Stanford Species is establishing partnerships among the arts, other disciplines and other groups that should help inform the Stanford community about the many species living here and what is required to sustain their presence.
Partnerships
This exhibit would have been impossible without the pro bono help of the National Audubon Society, which provided digital images of the Audubons, and VKK Signmakers, Inc., of Redwood City, CA, which printed the images and provided beautifully crafted and expertly installed acrylic displays.
It also would have been impossible without the Bill Lane Center for the American West, the Stanford Art Institute (SAI), the Center for Conservation Biology and Science Art-Nature, which have either supported or sponsored the work.
In addition,
Paul Zenke of the Academic Technology Lab (ATL) has provided essential guidance and assistance with the QR Codes and the emerging mobile version and Steve Rottenborn provided many valuable comments on the text.
Members of our oversight committee--Gretchen Daily (Biology), Tom Grey (Law, emeritus), Mike Keller/Mimi Calter (Libraries), Alan Launer (Planning Department), Alexander Nemerov (Art History), and Katherine Preston (Human Biology)--provided a sounding board and advice on nominee buildings and species.
Cathy Blake (Associate Director, Campus Planning and Design/University Landscape Architect), Fred Hartwick (Development Office), David Lennox (University Architect), Chris Shay and Shannon Silva (H&S), Matthew Tiews (Executive Director of Arts Programs), and Ted Tucholski (Grounds Manager) have all been providing guidance.
An implementation study by students of Nicole Ardoin (Graduate School of Education and Woods Institute for the Environment) is helping us tailor the exhibit to address viewer preferences.
Building managers of the host sites (Carnegie Institution, Green Library, the Hume Writing Center Jasper Ridge's Sun Field Station, the Keck Science Building, Lane Hall, McClatchy Hall, the Seeley G. Mudd Chemistry Building and Tresidder Union) have been exceptionally supportive and patient while installation decisions have been made and procedures have been completed.
Alum, Johanna van de Woestijne, MD has not only provided excellect photographs, but has also taken a careful look at both the exhibit and the web coverage, providing valued feedback.
Sustaining Campus Species
Viewer suggestions will be forwarded to relevant groups and outcomes will be added to the web presentation.
What Happens Next
The exhibit will be up at least until June 2016. Brochures will be provided at--or near--most installations.
If funding is found to expand the exhibit to include additional species and buildings, this project could eventually become a university program. Please let us know what you think! Send comments using this form. It would help to know, for example...
Darryl Wheye (darrylw@stanford.edu) and Donald Kennedy, July 2014