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Back in 2015, creative and campaigner Gustav Metzger launched one of his ultimate major projects. Recognized for introducing self-destructive creations, Metzger had dedicated his life to responding to societal issues from peace activism to vegetarianism. Through a short video message, he issued a call for a worldwide initiative to remember nature.

“I call upon you for your participation in this international summons for a day of action to commemorate our planet on November 4th, 2015,” he announced, urging artists and creatives to oppose the steady eradication of living beings. “Our responsibility is to help the public recall of the diversity and intricacy in nature … and by doing so art will enter realms that are inherently creative.”

The Birth of Remember Nature

In this way the Nature Remembrance initiative came into being, a day when cultural practitioners throughout Britain developed works to the ongoing environmental crisis. Jo Joelson, who supported Metzger in his last days, notes his sense of urgency. “He had a profound sense of urgency for him at the final chapter,” she says. “I just said – let’s not mess around. We shouldn’t hold back for funding or for anyone to authorize this. Let’s just do it.”

Ten Years On

After ten years, Remember Nature may not have incited the mass movement across the arts that Metzger had hoped for, but organizers feel its impact can still be observed in initiatives like artist-led declarations and climate activism networks, as well as in how creatives consider the environmental impact of their methods. This is the reason she is reviving it to mark its 10-year anniversary. Among the key participants participating now are Cornelia Parker and other notable figures. All participants have designed posters, made video appeals, and produced installations set to be unveiled on the fourth of November next year.

Planting Hope

Interviewing one participant, she is on site in Kent, helping plant apple trees that will grow to form a circular grove. Engaging schoolchildren, her project is half artwork and somewhat instructive. She describes, the planning and planting sessions have already incorporated learning about measurements (spacing the planting intervals), biology (discussing the genetic makeup), and origins (tracing the stories of how various cultivars were introduced to England).

Many of the apples were selected because they’ve got funny names such as the Duck’s Bill. We have one apple that ‘bleeds’ crimson liquid

“Several the apples were picked because they’ve got funny names such as the Bloody Butcher,” the artist notes. “We have one apple that ‘bleeds’ red juice. Every one carries background narratives. The decio apple was brought over by the Romans. The local breed is the apple that descended from a tree and struck the scientist’s head.”

The artist aimed the children to be more actively aware of nature and the influence we have over it. “In their experience, apples were just things you get at a supermarket, so I was encouraging them, next time they were out, to check the packaging and see the variety and their origin. Ideally it reads Kent!”

Creative Initiatives Nationwide

Within the city, one artist’s Book of Loss will engage visitors exploring Tate Modern on a mission to find the ice masses that have been disappeared in recent years. All formations will be depicted on the exhibition spaces using invisible ink. When located, a bell will ring and a reading will be conducted to honor that specific ice mass.

At the same time, up in Barrow-in-Furness, Maddi Nicholson will be putting on a public show about our alienation from the environment, as well as hosting a communal feast, prepared with sustainable ingredients. Further north, an artist is broadcasting her environmental performance, in which regional performers undertake a task to sing plants back to health in Newcastle’s Jesmond Dene.

Youth Perspectives

Following this approach, Cornelia Parker will be working with schoolchildren – on the actual event she is hoping to cover a cultural venue in youth creations that express their aspirations and concerns for the future. “Youthful expressions are powerful because they’re not as restricted as mature perspectives,” she says in her call to action video. “What children have to offer to the world is something truly special and it may inspire a feeling of duty from each person. Kids are unbiased. They have anxieties about what’s next. But this shouldn’t be about anxiety – it should be about hope and our responsibility that they get a future.”

Memorials and Memory

Another artist’s work also appeals to children. With a background in performance, his Birds Can Fly involves sketching winged creatures and then embodying them – and for Remember Nature day he is intending to tackle an iconic figure. He is also conducting a guided walk of the city, stopping at places that have been part of his long-term work over the recent decades. This endeavor commenced following he experienced multiple occurrences of discrimination on a one occasion. To counter this, Harfleet decided to plant a pansy at the site of each occurrence and photograph it – the project has since grown to incorporate experiences experienced by other people across the world. “The flowers remain there but they don’t often last,” says Harfleet. “It seems birds consume them, so they’re a very temporary memorial.”

Harfleet chose the flower not just for the obvious reason – it has long been a slur – but also because its origin is the French verb, penser, to think. “It became associated with a man who is reflective, and that, of course, is a terrible thing,” he says.

The project on Remember Nature day is to sow flowers at new locations and also replant flowers in places he has honored before, all the while discussing with those on the guided walk about the occurrences and his personal experiences. “There’s been quite a few following earlier installations,” he says with regret.

Moving Forward with Hope

The artist wishes his work – and