Jennifer Moss
Influences & Collaboration
Special thanks to the following scientists who shared their expertise and research and were influential during the creation of the Boreal Forest Inspiration Story Cards through their presentations and other conversations.
Robin Andrews
Todd Brinkman
Terry Chapin
Pat Doak
Graham Frye
Zav Grabinski
Helene Genet
Tamara Harms
Teresa Hollingsworth
Jill Johnstone
Knut Kielland
Nick Lisuzzo
Michelle Cailin Mack
Christa Mulder
Igor Pasternak
Thalles Lavinscky Pereira
Megan Perra
Roger Ruess
Katie Spellman
Lisa Strecker
Christin Swearingen
Merrit Turetsky
Sveta Yamin Pasternak
Statement
Everything in nature is connected, and each species relies on others for survival, including our own. Although we may make our home within areas of the forest, it is common to feel separate from the inner workings of nature as we live seemingly apart in our human-constructed worlds. The Boreal Forest Inspiration Story Cards are a mechanism by which we may break down this perceived boundary. The cards emphasize the interconnectedness of ecology with our human experience through personal insight and reflection based on the boreal forest’s topics, stories, and processes. The 52 cards explore these forest-related themes through art, inspiration, story, and science.
The original artwork for the cards in this deck was created by tailoring custom-painted and cut paper into compositions that reflect the idea of a specific topic relating to boreal forest ecology. The soundscape card, for example, was inspired by audio waveforms from a video taken by the artist in the Gates of the Arctic National Park. The waveform became the reflected treeline in the paper composition, a visual representation of the sound of the forest.
Many scientists were influential during the creation of these cards, and their presentations to the ITOC group provided the initial inspiration for the card topics. The science vignettes were written based on follow-up conversations, presentation materials, and other sources.
The inspirational text on the cards can be used daily or weekly, while thinking about something happening in our lives. We can gain new perspectives, insights, and stories from the forest through reflection. This method can enhance our connection to the boreal forest, regardless of geographical location. Cards can also be used to shape a new narrative based solely on the cards’ images.
The following artwork is included in the Boreal Forest Inspiration Stories deck and a selection of the original work appears in the exhibit.
Reference List
These publications were read and consulted during the creation of the Boreal Forest Inspiration Story Card deck in addition to direct conversations with scientists to help inform the writing of the science vignettes and inspiration text.
Additional Information
The First edition deck published by Jennifer Moss in 2022 is available for purchase at the Bear Gallery Gift Shop, Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts, Fairbanks, Alaska, during September 2022.
The Boreal Forest Inspiration Story Cards were edited by Jaclyn Bergamino at Fireweed Editorial.
Jennifer Moss
Jennifer Moss is a visual artist who uses contemporary visual elements to interpret the natural environment. Inspired by monochromatic winters, summer days brimming with light, and northern extreme weather events, Moss uses a range of mediums to explore figurative and abstract imagery and elusive connections within ecosystems. Moss studied at the Pacific Northwest College of Art and is an instructional designer and adjunct faculty at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Website: jmossart.com
