The Tear Project

Introduction

The idea of this project is simple

Go outside see what is on the ground
Form it into the shape of a tear
Take a picture and post it on social media with the hashtag #tearproject

Anyone is invited to participate.

What is this all about?

This project began after a long period of inquiry into how best to use creativity to help raise awareness about the impact of climate change and how to help people reconnect with nature and their own creativity in a gentle, non-harmful way.

Collectively we have become greatly disconnected from nature and from each other and this has led to a myriad of social and environmental problems. The average American spends 93% of their life indoors according to statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency. The idea here is to get people outdoors and help them reconnect with nature.

In addition to the environmental crisis, we are facing a mental health crisis that proceeded the COVID-19 pandemic but was accelerated by it. People of all ages are despairing because of the precarious state of the world and the uncertainty of their own lives. Young people in particular are concerned if they will have a future at all because of our collective inaction on climate change.

More about the project

What are the rules?

There are two rules.

Do no harm.
Leave the area better than you found it.

Can I participate?

Yes, of course you can. This project is an open source idea available for anyone who wants to participate. All you need to do is go outdoors for a walk, any location works, city, park, natural area, beach, wherever you are. Look at what's on the ground around you. If you find a pill of leaves pick some up and arrange them in a tear shape, then take a picture and post it anywhere on social media with the hashtag #tearproject. Leave it there for nature to disassemble.

If you find litter pick it up (wearing gloves ), put it in a bag and take it with you then arrange it into a tear shape, take a picture, post it on social media with the same hashtag #tearproject. You can either make a permanent work of art or discard the litter in the trash.

Why would I want to participate?

Because it's fun to do things outside and to make art. You don't have to be a professional artist to do something creative or visual. The tear shape is simple and easy to make. You can make it out of anything.

The more people that participate the more awareness gets raised. It's a way of showing that you care about the environment and let it be known that it's time for our culture to change and start taking environmental concerns seriously before it's too late.

Being outdoors is good for your mental and physical health. Making art is restorative. And it's free!

Why a tear? Why not something else?

Everyone suffers. Pain is universal and guaranteed. By connecting with our hurt we are better able to to have compassion for each other. The damage we have caused the earth is hurting us. The predominate culture views the earth as an inanimate object. As a result we have lost our reverance for it and don't acknowledge the harm we have collectively caused. The tear is a way to visually demonstrate the pain the earth might feel if we venture to imagine our life giving planet as something more than a big floating rock.

Why are you doing this?

This project is to raise awareness of climate change and all environmental harm. It is also to connect the harm we are causing our planet and the mental suffering we feel. This project is dedicated to all people who struggle with their mental health and hopes to provide an example of how to transform despair into action and connection.

How can I help?

You can go outside, pick up some things on the ground or some litter, and make a tear with it, take a picture and post it on social media with the hashtag #tearproject. You can donate to this project or work with your local community group to help the environment directly around you.

Tear #1

If you would like to help expand the reach of this project please consider giving a donation or buying a work of art. The proceeds from your donation will go to furthering the work of Organic Arts to raise awareness about the environment as well as the mental health crisis and to help heal both by reconnecting people with nature.

Donate