Creativity can be seen as the language spoken between all biomes and spheres; from the dance of the neutrophils blood cell to the murmuration of the birds. For just as the trees are learning from each other and conversing deep through their roots and the moon from her starlit throne is conducting the tides, creativity is the source by which human and non-human, rock and roots, seen and unseen can transcend all differences to communicate fluently.

This force has held life in equilibrium since long before her stories were told…just as this language guides otter and owl, it too can reveal to humans the way forward, whereby my flourishing supports your flourishing, supporting our flourishing. Creativity ushers in inspiration to all human & non-human beings, weaving symbiotic threads to create a whole universe of participation, making it a tool visionary enough to gain an adequate perspective on these times and the route by which to navigate them. It’s very essence is to encourage balance in the cosmos.

And yet we see that humanity has become obsessed with the worlds demise - instead of the possibilities it is now being presented with for renewal. It can be seen that the ‘end of the world’ story, is not tending to the hope we seek and the imagination required for dreaming in a kindred future. Whilst awareness of our global crises is eminent, genocides continue to be witnessed - and advance undeterred. Resource wars fracture the hearts of peoples and nations. Protection of the delicate balance life depends on is not respected by many who influence global policy and leadership. Every day we reach record-breaking levels of emissions, environmental destruction and species extinction. To inspire new worlds we need a force more nurturing than fear. One that creative imaginings can offer us.

People have always been good at imagining the end of the world, which is much easier to picture than the strange sidelong paths of change in a world without end.
Rebecca Solnit

What becomes of Now?

What if this was not the end, but a becoming of. What happens if we ‘fall in love with the future’ Rob Hopkins. What if, instead of surrendering to narratives of inevitable collapse, we take the path less trodden; one that engages with complexity, cultivates resilience and dares to believe in the regenerative power of hope? What if we take the steepest mountain path one step at a time, a path with no end in sight. And recognise that there does not need to be an end, for there is no resolute solution, there is no immediate fix, there is no end. To embrace this roughness, this discomfort, to not resist the shudders as you feel worlds collapse rib by rib and the rage of injustice roar, to allow it to roll through you and not to be frozen by pain, but to metabolize it into awareness, resilience, and meaningful action?

‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.’
Martin Luther King Jr.

What if that pain could become malleable and fluid, dancing as clay walls flex for their survival in an Earthquake and rolling yourself back like a wave on the sand, you continue. Knowing that there is no final destination, no straight line, no holding on, no final solution only this wave, in the drop, in the ocean. Whereby believing in humanities potential is enough for you to be the ocean in the drop.

Webs of fear only tighten as you resist and struggle, so instead, like the silk it is woven from, find the strength of steel in your softness, in your hope and in your belief. Able to reweave that web of pain, rage and fear to a more beautiful tapestry, knowing the trust given to each stitch is integral to it’s endurance.

‘Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.’
Talmudic teaching

Your pursuits are not here to stop the end of the world - they are here to breathe love, life, and kindness into her wings. One step in front of the other, powered by creative imaginings and fuelled by the belief in collective flourishing. Weaving together with the threads of generations past who held the light to such beautiful futures. This vastness is only achieved by trusting in one step at a time and imbuing it with the love you seek to cast.

As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.
Rumi

Researchers (see peer review article) have found that 89% of people around the world take climate change seriously, but mistakenly assume their peers do not. It has also been assessed (world economic forum) when a committed minority group reaches 25% of a population, it can trigger a shift in the majority's behavior and norms, leading to large-scale social change. This "25 percent tipping point" suggests that significant change doesn't require widespread agreement, but rather a determined minority acting as a catalyst. This path to brighter futures can be lain when we believe it is possible and that many others do believe it too. To lay such a path we are called to imagine the solutions through listening to the language of the Land, Sea and Sky, to awaken the stories of wonder and connection, not the lack thereof - believing in and creating more beautiful futures together. This isn’t a fanciful musing. It is urgent, essential and unquestionable if we hope to be able to live alongside each other - folk, land & kin. We are not to be divided and our collective flourishing is not be conquered.

Creativity as Guide and Teacher

The sensitivities of the arts present us with perspectives that can awaken & fortify our communication with the natural world; the seen and the unseen, the micro and the macro. Perspectives that support our crafting of and emergence into a collaborative & creatively inspired future for our shared existence with all beings of Land, Sea & Sky. Land Art Agency & Collective exists to share & support the voices of those engaged in these endeavours.

@landartcollective was born from a personal need to find a community of humans that listened through creative inspiration to human and non-human, those who were ‘realists of a larger reality’ Ursula K. Le Guin. As with all evolutionary processes, it arose in to existence from a need for survival, to evolve our understanding of what it means to be human and in doing so to nurture the collective. Here lies an integral message to all who read this:

Ask yourself: ‘What do I need more of in the world?’
The answer most likely reveals the very gift you can offer her.

The world is communicating creatively, in creativity the world shares her secrets, our memories of times past and those which could be, to those newly sprung. She holds the answers we seek for in her they became. This is how the sun communicates with the bees as does the otter with the marsh winds. We are entwined in this conversation. When we quiet to converse with all those of the Land, the Sea and the Sky, we access eternal guidance. Listen to see in the dark.

May we be guided to listen to lessons of Land, Sea & Sky, that teach us ways of wonder and support the transformations called to heal and flourish together. As is embedded in every cell of the universe; we do not exist in isolation. We bring each other into being. My suffering is your suffering, my joy your joy, ‘pull a thread here and you'll find it's attached to the rest of the world.’ Nadeem Aslam. ‘I am because we are’ Ubuntu philosophy. ‘You are therefore I am’ Satish Kumar.

Opportunities to connect

To see @landartcollective grow and develop such a deeply profound community because so many humans of this nature do exist is a beautiful miracle myself and all can draw strength from every day. Lighthouses across the Earth, amongst the sometimes seen as immovable boulders and forces of cruelty that we cannot guard ourselves or others against. This light shines brighter with every person who sets their compass to it so:

You can find daily bouts of inspiration at our instagram channel, where we feature creatives collaborating and learning with Land, Sea & Sky. If we can use our platform to share your creative pursuits or you see collaborative opportunies please always reach out too. @landartcollective (www.instagram.com/landartcollective)

We host a vast array of creative talks & workshops that connect participants into matters of Land, Sea & Sky. Whether you’re taking your first creative steps, growing your practice or are a seasoned creative already, we share a world of offerings to collaborate, learn and be inspired with a community exploring how to restore the Earth creatively. (www.instagram.com/onlineevents)

You can also add yourself for free to our Creative Directory – a map of humans all over the world who are holding a light for the Earth. No matter the future, we believe that being connected to knitted networks of kin will be one of the most powerful and supportive tools available to us all. Developing this network is one of our priorities. We invite you and friends to join! (www.instagram.com/creativedirectory)

And finally, our Membership offers connection with our community, with gatherings and opportunities to support the development and flourishing of creative methods to communicate with Land, Sea and Sky. (www.instagram.com/members)

I am Elizabeth Gleave, Co-founder (alongside Marie Dryden) of Land Art Agency & Collective and open to connecting and continuing the conversation: www.elizabethgleave.com insta: @elizabethgleavestudios substack:

Notes for Creatives

Creative wishes to all, great and small.