Author(s)

R. G. Wakeland

Abstract

Make sculpture from laundry detergent bottles, found objects and salvaged construction materials. Particle air pollution collects on white fabric and plastic. This black soot-like discoloration can be compared to particle pollution quantities from USA EPA and other, international websites. K-12 curriculum derives from the sculpture itself and data collection of the particulate air pollution. Contemporary studies in education show that sculpture and visual arts used in teaching encourage reading, writing, and cognitive development. Keywords: sculpture, particle air pollution, particulate air pollution, dust, cognitive development, teaching, reading, writing, literacy, math. 1 Effect upon nature of 21st century design Humans by calculated design and everyday operation of factories, internal combustion engines, and non-renewable energy electric generating stations alter nature. We throw particulates into nature’s pristine air. We create designer air. We measure and quantify these particulate concentrations daily on the United States of America (USA) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other web sites. Created from salvaged objects, sculpture measures this particulate air pollution in a graphic, visual way, collecting particulates as black streaks and smudges on textiles and plastic surfaces. The statistics thus take on an inescapable image form. In a public forum, the sculpture confronts us with our degradation of and relationship with nature. Art, public and private, can be analyzed for its carbon footprint. For example, sculpture composed of salvaged materials preserves air quality compared to sculpture composed of yards and meters, hectares and acres of virgin plastic sheeting and/or solid cast polymer. The lifecycle of the artwork should be factored into its impact upon the environment. Public entities are called upon to

Keywords

sculpture, particle air pollution, particulate air pollution, dust, cognitive development, teaching, reading, writing, literacy, math