Cross-Pollination: Art and Botany Catherine Cooney Librarian Facilitator — TPS Program at University of the Arts
Botanical illustrations are compelling. The human hand’s ability to reproduce the intricacy of nature is astounding. Botanical illustrations encapsulate more than can be seen with the naked eye. The tension between order and chaos is evident in images of the tight spiral of a fiddlehead fern, the geometry of a cactus blossom, or the whiplash forms of a pitcher plant. Botanical illustrations fascinate us because they make visible that which we cannot usually see: the inner structures of plants and their systems of growth and reproduction. These works are also evidence of the close looking that has led to deep knowledge. Students who become familiar with the natural world develop a meaningful relationship with nature. By growing plants in school gardens, identifying trees in neighborhoods, or exploring native plants on field trips to state parks, students get a deeper understanding of their world and the vegetal life around them. They discover the sources of their food and medicines and experience firsthand the role of plants in their ecosystem. When we care about plants, we care about the earth. Art helps us engage with plants. Observational drawing is a simple way to begin, whether as part of a science laboratory or art studio practice. It requires little more than pencil and paper, specimens, and time. Learning to identify plants through their physical characteristics builds visual literacy. Drawing requires us to process, interpret, and communicate visual information. When we sketch, we are building visualization skills and making connections—a tried and true method for enhancing memory and recall. When we draw, our minds reach the state of flow essential for construction of knowledge and true learning.
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