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During 2015, creative and campaigner Gustav Metzger initiated one of his last major projects. Known for creating auto-destructive art, Metzger had dedicated his life to addressing societal issues from peace activism to ethical eating. Through a short video message, he issued a call for a global day of action to remember nature.

“I, Gustav Metzger, am asking for your engagement in this global appeal for a day of action to remember nature on 4 November 2015,” he declared, inviting makers and thinkers to resist the steady eradication of species. “Our task is to remind people of the richness and complexity in nature … and by doing so the arts will venture into territories that are inherently creative.”

The Inception of Remember Nature

In this way Remember Nature was established, a day when creatives nationwide created responses to the ongoing environmental crisis. Jo Joelson, who cared for Metzger in his later life, remembers his drive for action. “There was a strong sense of urgency for him at the final chapter,” she says. “I just said – we must act now. Let’s not wait for funding or for anyone to approve this. Take action immediately.”

Ten Years On

After ten years, Remember Nature did not incited the mass movement across the arts that Metzger had envisioned, but supporters think its impact can still be felt in movements like artist-led declarations and climate activism networks, as well as in how creatives consider the sustainability of their practices. That’s why she is relaunching it to celebrate its decade milestone. Part of the 18 lead artists taking part currently are Cornelia Parker and Anya Gallaccio. Each has produced imagery, made video appeals, and created artworks set to be unveiled on the fourth of November next year.

Sowing Change

Interviewing the artist, she is on site in a rural area, assisting with planting apple trees that will develop into a coiled garden. Engaging schoolchildren, her project is part creative piece and somewhat instructive. As she explains, the design and cultivation sessions have already included learning about measurements (calculating the planting intervals), biology (discussing the apple’s DNA), and origins (mapping the journeys of how distinct varieties arrived in Britain).

Several the apples were chosen because they’ve got humorous titles such as the Duck’s Bill. We have one apple that releases crimson liquid

“Several the apples were chosen because they’ve got funny names such as the Bloody Butcher,” the artist notes. “We have one apple that ‘bleeds’ scarlet-colored sap. They all have stories behind them. The historical cultivar was imported by the Romans. The local breed is the apple that descended from a tree and landed on Isaac Newton’s head.”

The artist aimed the children to be more consciously engaged of the natural world and the power we have over it. “For a lot of them, apples were just things you buy from a supermarket, so I was urging them, next time they were out, to read the label and see the variety and where they were grown. Hopefully it says Kent!”

Creative Initiatives Nationwide

In London, one artist’s project on disappearance will include attendees exploring a major gallery on a journey to find the frozen formations that have been lost in modern times. All formations will be illustrated on the museum surfaces using ultraviolet markers. Each discovery, a chime will sound and a reading will be performed to honor that particular glacier.

At the same time, up in another location, a creative will be hosting a public show about our alienation from the environment, as well as holding a communal feast, made using regional food. Over in Newcastle, Uta Kögelsberger is broadcasting her environmental performance, in which regional performers embark on a mission to use music to heal flora in a green space.

Young Insights

Similar to other artists, Cornelia Parker will be engaging schoolchildren – on the actual event she is planning to fill an art space in children’s artwork that capture their hopes and fears for the future. “Kids’ art are powerful because they’re not as restricted as adults’,” she says in her recorded message. “What children have to offer to the world is something distinctive and it may provoke a feeling of duty from everyone. Children are innocent. They have anxieties about what’s next. But it isn’t meant to be about anxiety – it should be about positivity and our responsibility that they have a tomorrow.”

Remembrance and Reflection

A participant’s work also connects with children. Drawing on past experience, his feathered initiative involves sketching winged creatures and then embodying them – and for the event he is intending to address Liverpool’s famous Liver bird. He is also staging a itinerant journey of the city, visiting various sites that have been part of his long-term work over the recent decades. The project started after he experienced several events of homophobic abuse on a single day. In response, Harfleet decided to sow a flower at the location of every incident and document it – the project has since spiralled to include incidents reported 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 ephemeral memorial.”

The artist selected the pansy not just for the clear connection – it has long been a derogatory label – but also because its origin is the French verb, penser, to think. “People connected it with a man who is thoughtful, and that, of course, is a negative trait,” he says.

The plan on Remember Nature day is to plant pansies at fresh spots and also refresh the memorials in places he has marked earlier, all the while conversing with those on the guided walk about the occurrences and his recollections. “We’ve seen quite a few following earlier installations,” he says with regret.

Moving Forward with Hope

The artist wishes his work – and