Birds in Arts and Media

Goals

Our goals are twofold: first, explore the multifaceted presence of birds in arts and media across different cultures and periods – specifically focusing on French and Francophone literature and visual arts, examining how birds have been depicted and used as symbols to address critical issues such as biodiversity, and climate change; second, to foster collaboration among students, faculty, and experts in various fields and engage students in hands-on projects that allow them to actively contribute to the study of birds in arts and media.

The Birds in Arts and Media VIP has 2 tracks:

Research-Oriented Track: Students will create a comprehensive website that maps birds in the French and Francophone artistic world, designing a platform with various resources and exploring the intersection of art, science, and the humanities addressing pressing environmental challenges.
Creative Track: This VIP encourages students’ artistic expression through curated exhibits, short films, photo essays or any other creative idea, to tackle current issues related to birds, using the artistic medium to raise awareness and invite critical thinking.

Issues Involved or Addressed

Learning about artistic interpretations of birds in French culture and society and in arts and media in general. Learning about environmental humanities, and animal studies. Studying and analyzing the symbolic and scientific significance of bird representations across various fields. Working on global ecological issues, including viruses, the climate crisis, and reduced biodiversity through art forms such as cinema, performance, literature, music, and graphic novels. Working in collaborative group work with community partners in cross-media collaborations.

Partners/Sponsors

Atlanta Global Center