The Power of Engagement

Recently, on Aspire Gallery's Facebook page, I shared a fairly innocuous post from Frankie Magazine's Facebook page, calling for knitters to jump on board and knit teeny jumpers for penguins in rehabilitation.

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"The jumpers" Frankie wrote, " were to prevent birds caught in oil spills from cleaning toxic gunk off with their beaks". Even a free knitting was provided.

Penguin Jumper Pattern

I didn't think much about it apart from all being dreadfully cute until I was sent the following linked comic. The comic inferred that although it sounded lovely and big-hearted, the jumpers would distress the penguins. The jumpers instead were being placed on toy birds.

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So being a factual person and wanting facts I went straight to the source, Penguin Foundation, Phillip Island and discovered YES, the jumpers were still wanted.

Knits for Nature
"Knits for Nature is an ongoing program that begun after a number of oil spills near Phillip Island in the late 1990s to early 2000s, the program continues to support little penguin conservation on Phillip Island through knitting in a number of ways. The Penguin Foundation raises vital funds for little penguin research, conservation and the Wildlife Clinic through the sale of little penguin jumpers we receive that are the wrong size, shape, type of wool or in excess. These can be purchased at the Penguin Parade gift shop and are part of our Adopt a Penguin Pal kids pack. We have a good stockpile of jumpers suitable for rehabilitation purposes which we also distribute to other wildlife rescue centres where need be. Little penguin jumpers are also used as an educational tool to teach students and others about the devastating effects marine and coastal pollution has on marine wildlife and the environment."
See original link here.

However, what I was most interested in, is, how this story is a wonderful example of the power of getting people involved, and how such engagement can collectively raise awareness and ultimately funds to a cause. The Penguin Foundation could have rattled tins or ran television advertisements - but by allowing people to become part of a solution they achieved a far better end result.

So, let's translate this to the design and arts community. We have in this world a group of passionate, creative people who think outside the box and take chances........WOW.......imagine what can be achieved, if this group acted as a collective whole.

We have seen examples of this already happening. Calls for changes to Intellectual Property Law through submissions and petitions have created written changes to Design Registration and The Royalty Scheme.

However, it a movements such as Yarn Bombing that creates the momentous waves that ripple through the world. Yarn Bombing is street art that involves colourful displays of knitted or crocheted yarn that reclaim and personalise sterile or public spaces. It also has encompassed many agendas - from the promotion of the craft industry, awareness to the wool industry to social and humanitarian causes i.e. the homeless.

See original post here

See original post here

Original post here

This engagement of people, or people power should never be underestimated. It can create change and benefit yourself personally in the process.

The concept of Aspire Gallery, could be thought of as idealistic, but I THINK NOT. That would be underestimating the people who become involved.

I think creating a simple formula that allows awareness, sharing, encouraging and promoting which is the concept also behind Aspire Gallery will allow everyone to flourish in the process. 
I will keep you up to date on the journey.

Kreative Kisses,
Donagh