AMY MEISSNER
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The fallen.

5/25/2016

17 Comments

 
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen
When the woman who works the municipal boat launch says, "Hey, aren't you that family that goes around and picks up all the trash?" You just say, "Yep."

​If you've followed this blog for a little while, you know my family spends summer weekends in Prince William Sound, Alaska. This is our 7th season boating -- by Alaskan standards this is green -- and there is no amount of preparedness that makes me feel totally safe on the water. Last weekend, for example, we awoke at 2 am when a 22-foot KingFisher aluminum boat dragged anchor and T-boned our bow (no harm done, unless you count their ego and our good night's sleep). Not only this, but we are lousy fishermen, spending a lot more time picking up marine debris from remote beaches than catching anywhere near what one might call a limit. Last year at anchor, the silver salmon my husband reeled in off the swim step was met with much squealing, petting and naming, until it was bonked on the head. After this, the children burst into tears and refused to speak to my husband for the rest of the afternoon, still glaring at him with red-rimmed stink eyes at dinner, all hiccup-y as they scarfed heaping plates of grilled salmon. We are nurturing these soft hearts while gently redirecting their intensity because, hey, we all like eating wild salmon and recognize the importance of understanding where one's food comes from. At the same time, it's the insistent, curious heart that saves lives of all kinds. 

And while it's important to know where your food comes from, it's also damned important to know where your garbage goes, because, people, it's all connected. And in the words of my wise younger sister: "You say you're throwing something away, but there is ... no ... away."
​
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen
Prince William Sound, Alaska.

On a trip to the Grand Canyon a few months ago, we stopped for breakfast in Flagstaff, and before we'd even finished our sit-down meal, I was complaining to the manager about the 4 plastic kiddie cups with lids and straws the staff had produced (unasked for) as well as all the other wrappers and disposables that came with our non-fast-food breakfasts. While my husband squirmed and my kids thought we were about to be escorted outside, I explained our sensitivity to garbage, how completely unnecessary this waste was (FOUR straws that no one wanted?) and how we find this exact debris on our beaches in Alaska.

This, the manager's parting comment:

"I will definitely take your thoughts into consideration. Trust me, I don't like spending money on these cups and lids either, but kids always spill. And I personally GUARANTEE this trash won't end up on your Alaskan beaches! Heh, heh." (Feel free to insert the term "Little Lady" anywhere in here, adding a pat on the head, and you'd be right on tone).

Okay. First of all, teach children how to drink out of a cup, America. Cleaning up spilled water and milk is a vital part of raising small, capable humans -- right up there with wiping ass and actually speaking to one another at the table instead of staring at your electronic devices.

Secondly, Mr. Personal-Guarantee-Arizona, you have no freaking idea how far the crap on our beaches has traveled.

Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen
Wikipedia image, Pacific and Alaskan Gyres.

While the polar regions are experiencing massive shifts directly related to climate change (ever heard of a Pizzlie?  How about a Grolar? If not, you should check out that link), there are other changes afoot that are unexplained. Along with finding a modest amount of trash last weekend, we discovered more seabird carcasses than we'd ever seen before. Biologists have been tracking a huge common murre die off that started this winter, and while I'm no bird expert, I can definitely identify a dead one. We easily counted 30 on one beach outside of Surprise Cove alone. Cause of death? Unknown.
​​
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen

I realize no one wants to see these images. I didn't either and I still don't. And I always thought the last thing I wanted to hear on a beach was my kids yelling, "More plastic!" but now I realize hearing, "Another dead bird!" is worse.

Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen

The whole point of this blog is to wrap my head around the things that inspire me, frighten me and force the living questions to the surface, which then begin to inform my work. I'm not on a soap box here, but it's easy to dismiss issues that feel incredibly far away ... I know this because I'm guilty of it, too. But if I show the world a problem that is part of my family's life, maybe small simple things will start happening, like folks might start requesting no straws. (Yes, the restaurant wait staff will look at you like you have a horn growing out of your head, but if everyone started to learn to drink out of a cup like we used to, maybe we'd all do some other things differently as well). Living in a world that so easily disposes of things, leads to the easy disposal of culture, places, wildlife and people. And while trash doesn't go "away," animals certainly do, places are and people will.

Do I dispose of things? Yes. Do we burn diesel to get to these remote beaches? Yes. I am not without conflicts of my own. But environmental conflict has partly shaped my decision to use old cloth. To purchase used clothing. To carry a dented metal water bottle. To darn wool socks. Mend holes. Gather other people's trash. These are small things, but some of my children's personal choices of the future will be made based on what they see me do now. Other choices we all take for granted may simply disappear.

I'm not looking forward to finding a strangled seal carcass, but it might be inevitable. If I thought my children's howling over the silver salmon was bad, I can only imagine the wobbly chins and before-bed discussions that will ensue based on a meaningless death, but at least they'll have seen these creatures alive in their lifetime. They've watched whales breaching, Dall's Porpoises chasing our wake, curious seals circling our anchorages, Stellar Sea Lions hauled out on rocks, black bear pawing the water's edge. They've sat in the dinghy at the mouth of streams filled with so many jostling salmon that the boat has lifted. 

They have counted and petted and named all of those silvery, slippery insistent heads. They remember places based on what they've seen, picked, eaten or found. They will go forth in the world with pockets full of stories and stories and stories.

Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen

If you are curious about our Alaskan beach excursions (not all of them this rant-y, but hopefully still thought provoking), check out the following posts:
  • A history of relics.
  • What we found, 2.
  • What we found. (Mexican beach clean up, this one's actually pretty funny)
  • The traveling eye 5: Holding
  • The traveling eye 8: Fool's gold
  • Some call it green.​ 
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen
Alaska Dispatch News, winter 2016. Proof that I am who I say I am.
Amy Meissner, textile artist | From the post The fallen. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fallen
Flagstaff AZ restaurant detritus. Proof that this mess happened and that we are ALL part of the problem.
17 Comments
Tammy link
5/25/2016 05:52:49 pm

Always love reading what you have to say. While I echo your sentiments regarding the trash that never really goes "away", I love the words "they will go away with pockets full of stories and stories and stories." from that I realize that my greatest gifts from my parents were those pocket full of stories I have from living in Africa as a child. Your children will cherish those and you for giving them such a great love and respect for the earth! Love your spunk!

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Amy Meissner link
5/26/2016 06:42:22 am

Tammy,
Always great to hear from you--thank you so much for your time reading and commenting. I can only imagine what it would be like to swap stories for several hours, Alaska-Africa. I'm sure those pockets are bottomless....
XO
Amy

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Jenny M
5/25/2016 11:45:29 pm

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on throw away rubbish & plastic. This is such an important subject, and it's a subject that all parents & schools worldwide should be discussing with children, by showing the bigger picture of where rubbish can end up, how far away it is found, and the damage it's causing to the wildlife.
Many people never think of the final destination of that piece of rubbish they have just discarded, 'out of sight, out of mind' for many.
Well done to your family for leading the way.
It's frightening news about those dead birds too.

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Amy Meissner link
5/26/2016 06:50:12 am

Jenny,
While it's sweet of you to say our family is leading the way, I have to say our little family is barely making a dent on the actual shoreline and our inspiration has come from other artists working with scientists (https://www.anchoragemuseum.org/exhibits/gyre-the-plastic-ocean/exhibit-overview/). I think the sticking point for my kids is the wildlife and seeing photographs of decaying albatross carcasses bursting with all the plastic they've ingested. That was the first thing they poked around looking for within the skeletons we found last weekend (no evidence). Thank you for reading and commenting here. I value your time--
XO
Amy

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Natalya Aikens link
5/26/2016 03:31:48 am

Amen! You speak so eloquently and make so much sense. Thank you!

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Amy Meissner link
5/26/2016 06:51:23 am

Thanks for reading and commenting, Natalya! Always fun to see a familiar name pop up and I hope you and your family are all well.
XO
Amy

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Natalya Aikens link
5/31/2016 10:54:32 am

we are well, thank you! wondering if we can find a shore to clean up also..

Liz DeVree
5/26/2016 11:35:11 am

I saw something once where a woman carried the trash she created all day long. I've been thinking about that a lot and I think it's a great idea, I've just had many excuses as to why I haven't done it yet. It has made me more conscious of what I generate- I think everyone should think about doing that.

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Amy Meissner link
5/28/2016 05:16:50 am

Hi Liz,
I've seen stories like this as well. There is an artist from New York, currently showing work at the Anchorage Museum, who documented and bundled all of her belongings into these massive boulder shapes. She films and photographs herself dragging them: http://www.art21.org/newyorkcloseup/films/mary-mattingly-owns-up/. There's always that exercise...or you could stick with the pocket full of daily wrappers. Both valid reminders! Thank you for reading and commenting!
XO
Amy

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Hélène Blanchet
5/26/2016 01:58:38 pm

Great post Amy! I've been following you for a few months now cuz I LOVE your art. But I have to admit, I read you for your writing too! So eloquent, easy and smooth. And plain interesting. I love the way your mind works - and that you're willing to share your thoughts. Thank you!

Accolades aside, your kids are in touch with big nature, in regular life. Normalization and kinship with our very basic biology cannot be understated. I admire that you're willing to have a conversation with the bigger 'out there' world. If you're ever in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, give us a dingle. Your sweet family would like it here - no doubt.

Hélène

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Amy Meissner link
5/28/2016 05:22:01 am

Helene,
Nova Scotia is definitely on my bucket list! We lived in Vancouver BC for 6 + years in the '90's and while we spent time in the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island, I never did make it to the Maritimes. Some day. Thank you for your kind words about my writing and the content. I don't post more than once a week so I appreciate hearing that people are willing to still follow. I will defiantly give a dingle...
XO
Amy

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Sue Ann Gleason link
5/27/2016 03:39:38 am

This is not only an amazing piece of writing, Amy, but so spot on with regard to the collective unconscious and just how "out of sight, out of mind" a culture we have become. I know my grandmother, who raised her family in the Depression era, and washed a plastic bag or a piece of treasured tin foil for weeks, would be aghast at what we dispose of. And yes to this line: "You say you're throwing something away, but there is ... no ... away." Thank you for a thoughtful post and for raising children to be aware of the consequences of our waste. Bowing deeply to your relationship to the earth. xxoo

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Amy Meissner link
5/28/2016 05:26:27 am

Sue Ann,
I'd get along well with your grandmother since I wash my plastic bags also (not all of them, but the sturdy ones for sure). I'm not willing to revert to life on a self-sufficient farm, but there are little actions I hang onto, right alongside the choices I'm not overly proud of. Thank you for your kind words about the writing...I know YOU know how long it takes. Bowing deeply back at you (maybe we'll bonk heads).
XO
Amy

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Aude Franjou link
5/30/2016 02:36:44 pm

Dear Amy,
It 's always a real pleasure to read your post and to try to translate them to my english learning's daughter. But this one touch my deep conviction. From the old Europe we feel (when we are in the move of earth sensibility...) desarmed looking to the traditionnal american way of eating. The M clown and the coffee coming from star are two terrible illustration of your meaning. I think as you that each of us is responsable of his chooce for the next generation...and changing things begin by small thing. In France we say: une pierre après l'autre pour déplacer une montagne. ..any way thank you so much for this generous post...Aude

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Amy Meissner link
5/31/2016 06:13:27 am

Aude--Oh the M Clown and the Coffee Coming from Star! Yes, both icons of American overconsumption (although I have to admit the occasional Coffee Coming from Star has saved my crabby attitude more than once, usually in airports). My mother is from the Old Europe you speak of -- raised by her grandparents on a self-sufficient farm in Sweden -- and even though she has been in the US for many years, she still holds onto the older ways of doing, making, thinking and tried to pass this on to her 4 girls. I owe you (and your daughter) a very long hand-written letter, Aude, and I hope to get to this soon. The one you sent to Alaska is very special and your Box of Mystery is in line for the next blog post. I'm excited to share its contents here.
XO
Amy

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Victoria Davis link
5/31/2016 10:51:10 am

There is a floating island of plastic out there on the sea. Wonder if any of it is from AZ??


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Amy Meissner link
6/1/2016 05:30:14 am

Victoria, I'm sure a straw or 2 made it there from AZ. That garbage patch terrifies me...here we are picking up our little bits and scraps along the beaches up there, but that thing. Unbelievable. Quite the testament to mankind.
XO Amy

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    Amy Meissner, textile artist. Photo credit Brian Adams, 2013. www.amymeissner.com

    Amy Meissner

    Artist in Anchorage, Alaska, sometimes blogging about the collision of history, family & art, with the understanding that none exists without the other.

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