A Girl, Underwater Sounds, and the HMS Plastiki

      For today’s blog I felt that I would depart from the typical philosophical ramblings and moral quandaries I seem to all too often bring into this sphere and explore a side of activism I have always been interested in, but have never had an appropriate audience with which to share my findings. As this class has begun to ramp up I have been constantly reminded of an album from not too many years ago that I feel relates very closely to this topic. I have been racking my brain to determine the title of this work of environmental Americana, and then, just this evening, it hit me— Lilian: A Folk Opera!

      Bound in a 100% recycled package of romanticism, topped off by a green, compostable bow, this album by American musician Ben Lear has always stood out to me as an important step in modern musical activism, blending perfectly elements of modern songwriting, environmentalism, and varied instrumentation to create a truly inspiring work of art through which the message of sustainability can be shared. Much of the album pertains to the issue of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, or as it was more recently rebranded, the North Pacific Gyre, a large vortex comprised of plastic debris, chemical sludge, and other harmful particles that spends its days swirling about the ocean. While this is the main ecological focus of the story, the remainder of the album spreads a message of preservation and eco-conscientiousness that extends beyond this one example, leading the listener to universal issues of waste and pollution.  

      Ben Lear sees himself as just another guy doing his part to aid in protecting the planet. This is a great example of the impact one man can have and the ability of a single person to spread awareness in an interesting, exciting, engaging way (No offense Prof. Connett!). It also provides a prime example of how the avenues of art and activism can intersect, or, as Koestler would put it, “bissociate.” The way that music can impact an audience in such a profound way that they see the issue at hand in a new light, from a vastly different perspective, or that they pay attention to the issue for the first time. Collaborating with organizations such as the Plastic Pollution Coalition and Safe Planet, Ben Lear has been able to reach a wide audience with his music, raising awareness and pushing environmental action. He incorporated prominent figures of the realm into his folk opera, including an encounter with David De Rothschild, the British adventurer and environmental advocate who set sail aboard a ship crafted of recycled water bottles, a vessel named the Plastiki.

      If jamming out and a boat made of water bottles doesn’t get people excited about environmental activism, I don’t know what will!