Air quality, trees focus of 2016 KEEPING WATCH
The UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture and Urban Institute will launch the third year of the KEEPING WATCH initiative with a focus on air quality and the city’s tree canopy. Events will begin in early March and continue through the end of May.
Poor air quality in the United States is largely due to the presence of elevated concentrations of ozone and particulate matter in urban centers. In general, Charlotte’s air quality has improved during the past decade. But since vehicles are a primary source of pollutants in the county, and Charlotte’s population is rapidly increasing, air quality could worsen in the coming decade if not given careful attention.
A large and healthy tree canopy is a key contributor to healthy air. Trees also benefit water quality and prevent erosion. Charlotte has one of the best urban forests in the United States, but widespread development and aging trees are causes for concern.
Organized by the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute and the College of Arts + Architecture, the KEEPING WATCH Alliance is a broad coalition of more than a dozen partners representing city and county government, the nonprofit cultural sector, environmental groups and the University.
KEEPING WATCH is a multi-year initiative designed to foster collaboration across disciplines and interest groups to engage the public in local ecological issues. Through the work of artists, writers, environmental experts and scientists, KEEPING WATCH has connected community partners and projects to raise awareness and inspire action around plastic waste and recycling (2014) and water quality and urban streams (2015).
Exhibitions and events planned for 2016 KEEPING WATCH are:
‘Particle Falls,’ March 4 through April 23, UNC Charlotte Center City
A public art installation by artist/scientist Andrea Polli, “Particle Falls” is an animated light projection on the side of the UNC Charlotte Center City. It will reveal the invisible particle pollution in the surrounding air. Appearing as a waterfall-like cascade of light, the animation is generated with specialized software that visually translates in real-time particulate matter readings from a nephelometer, a scientific instrument that gathers data about air pollution. Presented by Clean Air Carolina and the College of Arts + Architecture with partial funding from the Arts & Science Council.
Ceremonial Tree Planting, 12:30 p.m., March 16, UNC Charlotte
UNC Charlotte has been designated a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. As part of the University’s commitment to promote healthy trees and in partnership with KEEPING WATCH, the University will plant a special tree on campus.
Projective Eye Gallery at UNC Charlotte Center City, March 18 through May 28
Opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m., March 18
The Projective Eye Gallery will present further elaboration on “Particle Falls” plus the work of five artists: Jed Berk (California), Charlie Brouwer (Virginia), Linda Foard Roberts (Charlotte), Berndnaut Smilde (Netherlands) and Robert Wiens (Canada). The exhibition opens with a reception on March 18, North Carolina Arbor Day, and is curated by independent curator June Lambla of Lambla artWORKS.
Floating throughout the gallery, Berk’s interactive “Blubber Bots” become a tangible metaphor for the air that surrounds us, suggesting the mystery of what is in air and how we both react to it and affect it. Smilde’s wall-sized photograph of an “indoor cloud” will prompt a discussion of the need for healthy air inside buildings. The issues of mature tree canopy and clear-cutting are addressed with a life-size tree constructed in the gallery by Brouwer. Likewise, Wiens’s watercolors of tree segments highlight issues of tree and forest conservation, while Roberts’s large-scale photographic image of a grand, mature tree in Charlotte evokes the emotional attachments many people have to trees.
Further making air “visible,” the front window at UNC Charlotte Center City will exhibit prints by UNC Charlotte Lecturer Kristin Rothrock based on scientific renderings of particulate air pollution.
N.C. BREATHE conference, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 8, UNC Charlotte Center City
UNC Charlotte will host the 2016 N.C. BREATHE conference, a forum for research that addresses the effects of air pollution on human health, the environment and the economy. Sponsored by Clean Air Carolina. Details at ncbreatheconference.org.
KEEPING WATCH on AIR: Science and Strategies, 5:30 p.m., April 19, UNC Charlotte Center City
The Charlotte Area Science Network will hold a Science Café discussion on air quality, featuring Brian Magi from the UNC Charlotte Department of Geography and Earth Sciences. Learn about air quality science, successful efforts to mitigate air quality problems and what problems may emerge as Charlotte grows.
UNC Charlotte Earth Day, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 20, CHHS/College of Education Quad
UNC Charlotte Recycles will host an Earth Day celebration with displays and activities from campus and community groups.
Earth Day Festival, Film Screening and ‘Particle Falls’ Closing, April 23
UNC Charlotte Center City and First Ward Park Festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Film and ‘Particle Falls’ viewing, 6 to 9 p.m.
KEEPING WATCH on AIR joins Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation to celebrate Earth Day and the opening of First Ward Park with family-oriented hands-on activities, demonstrations and entertainment. In the evening, the College of Arts + Architecture will host a film screening and final “Particle Falls” viewing.
Tree Walks
Join members of the KEEPING WATCH Alliance for guided walks to learn about Charlotte’s trees. For details on times and locations, visit keepingwatch.org.
Community Partners for KEEPING WATCH on AIR are: Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, City of Charlotte, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Charlotte Visualization Center, Clean Air Carolina, McColl Center for Art + Innovation, Mecklenburg County Air Quality, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, North Carolina Science Festival, Sustain Charlotte, TreesCharlotte, Tree Campus USA, UNC Charlotte Botanical Garden, UNC Charlotte Center for STEM Education, UNC Charlotte Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, UNC Charlotte Earth Club and UNC Charlotte Facilities Management Department.
Sponsors for KEEPING WATCH on AIR are: Arts & Science Council, Blumenthal Foundation, North Carolina Science Festival, UNC Charlotte Graduate School, UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture, UNC Charlotte Urban Institute and WFAE 90.7fm.