Jutta Weber, Geologist (Germany)
»Magic Landscape and Forest Art in the Global Geopark Bergstraße-Odenwald«
Telling this multifacetted story creates fascination and attracts the people, which is one of our most important objectives. The European Geopark Bergstrasse-Odenwald has developed a wide range of special tools to communicate this relationship (Weber, 2009). During the last years, the Geopark also has created a variety of cooperation projects, which combine Earth history, man and nature.
The time and space cycles of Earth and nature are inspiration for man since ages. The International Forest Art Association as close cooperation partner of the Geopark, develops every two years a special Forest Art Trail with artists from all over the world, who realize their art pieces as interconnection between nature and human beings in the forest. The artists live and work in the forest for 3 weeks, which is a concentrated, contemplative as well as exciting experience. This spirit will be transported to the visitor during the directly following 5 weeks symposium and exhibition. The Geopark delivers information and communication, and co-organizes events (e.g. the International Forest Art Conference, Ritschel & Weber, 2008) and connects Forest Art with partners of the Global Geoparks Network. Forest Art touches the people and allows a deeper understanding of our own place on Earth and our responsibility to care for it.
For the Global Geopark Bergstrasse-Odenwald, this special combination of information, emotion and experience is the most important approach to communicate messages. Man and nature – this important relationship is an integral part of the Geopark philosophy and therefore we use each opportunity, to communicate it through our projects, events and presentations.
References
- Ritschel, U. & Weber, J. (2008): 2nd International Forest Art Conference. - 4th International Forest Art Trail “Cycles and Systems” – 14-15, Darmstadt.
- Weber, J. (2009): Art and music as intuitive communicators of Earth history and nature. – EGN magazine No. 6, 2009.
CV
As member of the executive board of the Global Geopark Bergstrasse-Odenwald (Germany), Jutta Weber is responsible for geosciences, geo-education, public relations and international cooperation.Educated in geology and natural sciences, she worked for several years as geoscientist in academia (University of Cologne), and as expert for natural dimension stones and their connection to history and culture.
Her special concern is strongly connected with the Geoparks´ philosophy: to combine Earth history, nature, culture and arts as holistic approach bringing together different aspects and disciplines. In the frame of the International Forest Art Association, she has been scientific partner in Forest Art projects and co-organizer of International Forest Art Conferences. The 3rd International Forest Art Conference and Trail takes place in the frame of the cooperation between the International Forest Art Association, the Global Geopark Bergstrasse-Odenwald and the Global Geopark Mt. Lushan.