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In 2015, creative and campaigner Gustav Metzger launched one of his last important works. Recognized for introducing self-destructive creations, Metzger had dedicated his life to confronting human struggles from peace activism to vegetarianism. Via a concise video message, he made a plea for a international event to remember nature.

“This is my appeal for your engagement in this global appeal for a day of action to remember nature on November 4th, 2015,” he declared, inviting artists and creatives to resist the steady eradication of species. “The mission is to remind people of the abundance and sophistication in nature … and by doing so creativity will explore domains that are naturally imaginative.”

The Creation of Nature Remembrance

Thus the Nature Remembrance initiative was born, a day when cultural practitioners throughout Britain produced pieces to the escalating planetary emergency. One of the curators, who supported Metzger in his later life, remembers his sense of urgency. “He had a strong sense of urgency for him at the final chapter,” she says. “I urged him – we must act now. No need to pause for funding or for anyone to green light this. Let’s just do it.”

A Decade Later

A decade on, Remember Nature hasn’t quite incited the mass movement across the arts that Metzger had envisioned, but Joelson believes its legacy can still be seen in initiatives like Culture Declares and Extinction Rebellion, as well as in how artists approach the eco-friendliness of their practices. For this purpose she is reviving it to celebrate its decade milestone. Part of the 18 lead artists participating now are A Man Called Adam and other notable figures. All participants have designed posters, recorded calls to action, and developed pieces set to be presented on November 4, 2025.

Sowing Change

When speaking to one participant, she is on site in a rural area, helping plant apple trees that will grow to form a spiral-shaped orchard. Working with schoolchildren, her project is part creative piece and somewhat instructive. According to her, the preparation and sowing sessions have already included learning about measurements (spacing the gaps in the orchard), genetics (studying the hereditary traits), and geography (mapping the backgrounds of how distinct varieties were introduced to England).

Many of the apples were chosen because they’ve got amusing labels such as the Duck’s Bill. We have one apple that releases red juice

“Many of the apples were picked because they’ve got amusing labels such as the Bloody Butcher,” the artist notes. “We have one apple that releases scarlet-colored sap. Each has stories behind them. The historical cultivar was brought over by the Romans. The Flower of Kent is the apple that fell from a tree and struck the scientist’s head.”

She hoped the children to be more consciously engaged of the natural world and the power we have over it. “In their experience, apples were just things you find in a supermarket, so I was encouraging them, on their next shopping trip, to look on the bag and see what they’re called and their origin. Perhaps it indicates Kent!”

Creative Initiatives Nationwide

At the capital, Youngsook Choi’s work about extinction will include attendees exploring Tate Modern on a journey to find the frozen formations that have been disappeared in recent years. All formations will be depicted on the exhibition spaces using special pens. Whenever one is found, a bell will ring and a performance will be conducted to remember that particular glacier.

Meanwhile, up in Barrow-in-Furness, Maddi Nicholson will be putting on a open display about our disconnection from the land, as well as organizing a community dinner, made using regional food. Further north, Uta Kögelsberger is sharing her musical project, in which local singers begin a project to perform for vegetation in a local park.

Children’s Voices

Similar to other artists, Cornelia Parker will be working with schoolchildren – on the day itself she is aiming to fill Cambridge’s Kettle’s Yard in kids’ letters and drawings that capture their aspirations and concerns for the tomorrow. “Kids’ art are impactful because they’re not as restricted as mature perspectives,” she says in her public appeal. “The contributions of youth to the world is something truly special and it may inspire a feeling of duty from everyone. Youth is pure. They have fears about the future. But it isn’t meant to be about fear – it should be about hope and us ensuring that they see a better world.”

Remembrance and Reflection

Paul Harfleet’s work also appeals to children. As a former drag queen, his Birds Can Fly involves illustrating avians and then embodying them – and for Remember Nature day he is aiming to tackle Liverpool’s famous Liver bird. He is also organizing a walking tour of the city, stopping at places that have been part of his long-term work over the recent decades. The project began when he experienced several events of homophobic abuse on a one occasion. To counter this, Harfleet decided to place a bloom at the location of every incident and record it – the project has since expanded to cover events experienced by other people across the world. “I leave the pansies there but they fade quickly,” says Harfleet. “Apparently pigeons like to eat them, so they’re a short-lived memorial.”

Harfleet chose the bloom 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 was linked to a man who is reflective, and that, of course, is a terrible thing,” he says.

The intention on the event day is to plant pansies at additional sites and also renew the tributes in places he has previously memorialised, all the while conversing with those on the guided walk about the incidents and his recollections. “We’ve seen quite a few after my previous work,” he says with regret.

Advancing Positively

Harfleet hopes his work – and