Kickstarter

Please generously support what will be an amazing artistic adventure: the first WildArt Mongolia Expedition, during which American and Mongol artists will join in a first time collaboration of art and conservation. We will be creating art in the field, mounting an international art exhibition and, finally, publishing a book about both the Expedition and the art that will result from it.

From September 1-22 of this year American and Mongolian artists will make a true nomadic journey to the remote (even for Mongolia) southwestern Gobi, where we will explore:

-The Altai Mountains, land of the snow leopard (sightings are extremely unlikely, but not impossible). Participating artists will personally experience the snow leopard’s world, what it looks like, what it feels like and also learn what the current conservation challenges are for this charismatic big cat.

-The Dzungarian Gobi, where the last wild tahki (Przewalski’s horse) was seen in 1969 and where they were re-introduced to Takhiin Tal, located in the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area, in the early 1990s. Along with takhi, we also expect to see the endangered khulan or Mongolian wild ass.

-The Sharga, one of the last remaining stretches of the legendary grassland steppe, which once extended unbroken from Manchuria in the east to Hungary in the west, where one of the mostly critically endangered antelopes in the world, the saiga, is making a last stand.

En route between these special destinations, based on my experience of six trips to Mongolia, we will see wonderful things every day since, in the Land of Blue Skies, more than in most places, the journey really is the destination.

THE ART MISSION

American and Mongolian artists will collaborate and learn from each other, first in the field and then to create an exhibition of art inspired by the trip. There will be venues in both Mongolia and the USA. There will also be a book about the Expedition and the exhibition.

The art exhibition will be something new...not just beautiful finished art to view, but each artist will include at least one major work which will be accompanied by the visual and written story behind it- journal entries, field sketches, photographs, preliminary drawings, studies, models- whatever went into creating the finished piece.

The goal will be to not only share what we've seen, but to show how art is created from a journey like this. And I hope it will enlighten and educate people in both countries about the endangered wildlife and habitats of the Gobi.

My current plan is to debut the exhibition in Ulaanbaatar in July of 2013 to coincide with the national Naadam celebration, which is when many special events happen and visitors are coming in from all over the world. Then schedule the US showing for early fall.

The exhibition will also be permanently viewable online, for those who are unable to attend it in person.

The book will not only be an exhibition catalog of all the art and images of the supporting materials used for the major works, but also the official record of the Expedition, including journal excerpts, stories and also photos taken en route. It will be produced in at least two ways...an e-edition and a print-on-demand "real" book.

THE CONSERVATION CONNECTION

The Mongols have a deeply embedded land ethic going back over 1000 years (the toes of the traditional herder’s boots are upturned so as not to scuff the earth) and there is substantial grassroots support for conservation. The arrival of extremely large mining projects, upon which Mongolia’s economic future depends, is a source of both hope and great concern. I would like this cross-culture collaboration to provide one way, through the arts, of showing how special the land and wildlife of Mongolia are. We will be visiting three areas with endangered species and habitats at risk. Artists can bring a very special focus and attention to conservation and environmental issues. The WildArt Mongolia Expedition is my way of doing this in one particular part of the world.

LOGISTICS

Expedition arrangements are being made and staff provided by Nomadic Journeys, with whom I have traveled for five out of my six trips to Mongolia. We’ll be traveling in rugged go-anywhere Russian fergon vans, tent camping for 18 nights under millions of stars, surrounded by peace and quiet that’s almost impossible to find anymore.

The Expedition tent, housing the kitchen and dining area, along with work and relaxation space, will be a traditional Mongol summer tent called a "maikhan". Donors at or above the $1000 level will have their names on the tent.

I’ll be communicating directly with our donors through the project’s Kickstarter blog. Everyone who is interested can follow the Expedition’s Facebook public page, my own blog and a WildArt Mongolia Board on Pinterest.  I will do my best to help you feel what it will be like to travel to an extraordinary place and see the animals, land and people of Mongolia, learn about the art and artists and the conservation challenges.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE WILDART MONGOLIA EXPEDITION!

Support both art and conservation with one great donation

Funding goal: $5000

Your donation will support not only the three-week Expedition itself, including art materials, field equipment such as the maikhan and our guide, drivers and cook, but also the art exhibition and the WildArt Mongolia Expedition book.

Thank you for your time and interest in The WildArt Mongolia Expedition!

Please contact me if you have any questions!

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Our current list of supporters and sponsors includes:
 
Jan Wigsten (Nomadic Journeys)

The Arts Council of Mongolia (Ariunna Tserenpil, Executive Director)

Association GOVIIN KHULAN (Anne-Camille Souris, President)

Byambakhuu Darinchuluun (Mongolian-American community and good friend)
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Many thanks to Multicultural Media for the use of "Song of Praise; Altai yin magtagai".

From the CD recording Mongolia: Living Music of the Steppes, Multicultural Media, available for download from iTunes or as a CD at www.worldmusicstore.com

GALLERY: