Environmental Activism Through Musical Performance: Saving the Forest in Atlanta, GA
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Keywords: geography of protest, music geography, geohumanities, space, place, landscape, geography, musical protest
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract
Authors:
Annie Laura Kelley, Jacksonville State University
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Abstract
From the Spring of 2021 to the present, a network of musicians, artists, environmentalists, and geographers have formed a coalition aimed to halt the deforestation and commercialization of one of the last remaining forests within the metropolitan umbrella of Atlanta, Georgia To protest and bring awareness to the development, the coalition hosts public artistic demonstrations and musical performances within the forest. Through hosting this ceremonial locale, a sense of cultural identity linked to place has formed, therefore creating a shared space of memory amongst those who observe - both in person, and online.
As examined by Denise Vohn Glahn (2003), “Place is one way we organize our experiences and order our memories. A sense of place helps form our identity...” Following this approach, we collected data through participant observation and engagements at the event. Visual and Audio recordings of the event taking place were collected along with social media data from attendees' shared experiences and combined in Story Maps, creating public engagement.
Observing how activists link musical performances with a vividly detailed and identifiable setting, we see there is a significant link created to these public places of demonstration. Activating this experience for observers is more effective with listeners and changes how they perceive a place. This ability to perceive a sense of place creates connectivity historically, culturally, morally, and symbolically. This action combined with geographical analysis aids demonstrators more effectively in creating a more effective social movement.
Environmental Activism Through Musical Performance: Saving the Forest in Atlanta, GA
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Paper Abstract