Institute for Sustainable Living, Art & Natural Design

Make Sure You're Heard!
Help us to decide what kinds of workshops and events we should invest our energy into providing, by taking this short poll.

brochure in .pdf format, 8.5" x 14"

Affiliations:

"We are searching for some kind of harmony between two intangibles: a form which we have not yet designed and a context which we cannot properly describe."

"In the end, our society will be defined not only by what we create, but by what we refuse to destroy."

"The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land.

This sounds simple: do we not already sing our love for and obligation to the land of the free and the home of the brave? Yes, but just what and whom do we love?

Certainly not the soil, which we are sending helter-skelter downriver. Certainly not the waters, which we assume have no function except to turn turbines, float barges, and carry off sewage.

Certainly not the plants, of which we exterminate whole communities without batting an eye.

Certainly not the animals, of which we have already extirpated many of the largest and most beautiful species.

A land ethic of course cannot prevent the alteration, management, and use of these 'resources,' but it does affirm their right to continued existence, and, at least in spots, their continued existence in a natural state."

"These many redemptive organizations are now required to confront consciously and capably, really for the first time in human history, a question that is almost overwhelming in its magnitude and urgency but also is utterly fascinating, fully worthy of a lifetime's effort and study:

Can we change the ways we live and work so as to establish a preserving harmony between the made and given worlds?

Or, to make that question more practical and immediate: Can great power or great wealth be kind to small places? Can the necessary industries subsist upon their natural sources without destroying them? Can the life of a farm or working forest be made compatible with the local ecosystem? Can city and country live and trade together to their mutual benefit? Can an urban economy vouchsafe the health and prosperity of its suppliers, its consumers, and its neighbors?"

"The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings."

"Perhaps we seek to recreate the Garden of Eden, and why not? We believe that a low-energy, high-yield agriculture is a possible aim for the whole world, and that it needs only human energy and intellect to achieve this."

"...When I make a table I say to myself: "All right, I'm going to make a table, and I'm going to try to make a good table". And of course, then from there on I go to the ultimate resources I have and what I know, how well I can make it. But for me to then introduce some kind of little edge, which starts trying to be a literary comment, and then somehow the table is supposed to be at the same time a good table, but it also is supposed to be I don't know what; a comment on nuclear warfare, making a little joke, doing various other things ... I'm practically naive; it doesn't make sense to me."





			ISLAND's Mission is to create spaces that explore the integration of art, natural design, and sustainable living. ISLAND's Purpose is to use art to reconnect people to the value of the natural world, and the natural world to reconnect people to the value of art. Dave Jacke teaching that permaculture is all about perspective. ISLAND's Values: Authenticity: Everything looks like what it is. There is no doublespeak and no euphemisms. Implicit in authenticity is respect for oneself, our fellow beings, and the land. Sustainability in all things: Local First: Community self-reliance is dependent, interestingly, on individual interdependence. Our organization promotes local first, an idea that supports local business and community. We are proud of where we live, and show this by shopping locally to support the economy and community; to encourage variety; to receive personal service; and maintain the unique identity of Northwest Lower Michigan. Frugality: We do not "consume solutions" when we can do it as well ourselves. Frugality is an essential component of good design. Approach zero waste: We approach zero waste by not buying products that are over-packaged, reusing materials, and recycling those materials that are past usability. Compassion: Everything and everyone has a place. Compassion means awareness and empathy without pity. Compassion is the highest value we can strive for. Implicit in compassion is wonder--contagious curiosity about the world and our fellows in it. Empiricism: While we maintain great respect for those who have gone before us, we will make decisions based on experience, experiments, and our unique situation. We find what works, at this time, in this place, for these people. One of the final plans from Brad's permaculture course real-world design project. ISLAND's Story: ISLAND began because of Brad and Amanda Kik’s strong and shared belief that the arts and sustainable living are intertwined and essential to an enriching community. Amanda spent both her undergraduate and graduate years at California Institute of the Arts and as an active participant in the art community in Los Angeles before moving to Northern Michigan. She quickly learned that art is a vital part of any community, no matter the size or cultural composition. Amanda's strong desire to contribute to the cultural community of Northern Michigan, coupled with her commitment to the development of new work, led her to the beginnings of ISLAND. Brad worked for five years as a community organizer both during and after college at Michigan State University. Through his work organizing communities in four states around environmental and consumer rights policy, he learned two important lessons: first, that there is deep and widespread concern (amongst what many consider an apathetic public) about the state of our communities and our place in the world; and second, that policy shift battles are necessary but cannot effect real change without the cultural shift that creates them. After leaving that work Brad spent seven months in New Zealand working with a rainforest sanctuary and sustainable living organization, and saw the power of intensive individual experience. Realizing that design is the province of everyone, not just architects and other professionals, and understanding the power of attraction of pastoral, rural living, Brad sought to combine the two. Brad and Amanda met on the fourth of July, 2004, and realized that each was complementary to the other, not only in their vision for an energetic new non-profit organization, but in life. They began ISLAND in May and were married in August of 2005. Vincent VanGogh - Pollard Birches ISLAND's Philosophy on Art: The production of art is more than taking brush to canvas, pen to paper, back of hand to forehead, or bow to string. Given the time and space, Art will bubble up from depths in the earth, and forms pools that benefit us all. Without art production, our communities are culturally crippled. It is ISLAND's desire to support the work of artists and art in all its forms. Art provides us with an alternative way of exploring ideas--of not simply seeing in new ways, but seeing in ways that are impossible to otherwise achieve. Dialogs are sparked and ideas are reshaped. Art does not stand alone, but is interdisciplinary in nature. In an experimental environment like ISLAND, it is imperative that ideas are fully and deeply explored; art is one tool with which this task is undertaken. An earth sheltered hut at Sirius Community ISLAND's Philosophy on Natural Design: First and foremost, we are all designers. Specialized design (such as the architecture taught in most universities) is merely one more tool in a vast toolbox – design is a language that we all share. Good design is a natural result of a slow and thoughtful interaction between person and place. Influences: Christopher Alexander, Victor Papanek, Janine Benyus and David Orr. Jayne Walker's dome, happy rooster and solar panels at the Eco-Learning Center in Leelanau County ISLAND's Philosophy on Sustainable Living: Sustainable Living is defined in many ways; the one we prefer comes from The Sustainable Living network (www.sustainableliving.com): Sustainable living is an approach to social and economic, indeed, all activities, for all societies, rich and poor, which is compatible with the preservation of the environment. It is based on a philosophy of interdependence, of respect for life as well as non-living parts of Nature, and of responsibility for future generations. ISLAND believes that sustainable living is a natural law being resisted, unsuccessfully, since the advent of the industrial revolution; that technology alone will not create a sustainable world, and that it is equal parts culture, intellect and practice. Influences: Wendell Berry, Wes Jackson, Helen and Scott Nearing. Chestnut opening. Photo courtesy Stock.Xchng ISLAND's Land Ethic: It’s very important to the program to have a written, concise and very clear land ethic – a document that outlines our responsibilities to the land as a partner in our program. This land ethic will include: having a careful and thoughtful discussion of the value of indigenous flora and fauna versus the value of Permaculture arguments for expanding beyond native plants. In either case, to seek a wild and balanced set of ecosystems on the ISLAND property and to eliminate non-native aggressors. learning the history of the land, in geologic terms and terms of natural succession, native use, settler use and present use. committing to learning how to use the land, using Permaculture and other progressive land-use principles not reducing resources (e.g. clear cutting, mining) mapping inputs and outputs (e.g. sunlight, seed, water, crops, etc.) not polluting, our land or anyone else’s maintaining useful habitat for wildlife working towards zero waste		Make Sure You're Heard! Help us to decide what kinds of workshops and events we should invest our energy into providing, by taking this short poll. brochure in .pdf format, 8.5" x 14" Affiliations: "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." -Pablo Picasso "We are searching for some kind of harmony between two intangibles: a form which we have not yet designed and a context which we cannot properly describe." -Christopher Alexander "In the end, our society will be defined not only by what we create, but by what we refuse to destroy." - John C. Sawhill "The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land. This sounds simple: do we not already sing our love for and obligation to the land of the free and the home of the brave? Yes, but just what and whom do we love? Certainly not the soil, which we are sending helter-skelter downriver. Certainly not the waters, which we assume have no function except to turn turbines, float barges, and carry off sewage. Certainly not the plants, of which we exterminate whole communities without batting an eye. Certainly not the animals, of which we have already extirpated many of the largest and most beautiful species. A land ethic of course cannot prevent the alteration, management, and use of these 'resources,' but it does affirm their right to continued existence, and, at least in spots, their continued existence in a natural state." -Aldo Leopold "These many redemptive organizations are now required to confront consciously and capably, really for the first time in human history, a question that is almost overwhelming in its magnitude and urgency but also is utterly fascinating, fully worthy of a lifetime's effort and study: Can we change the ways we live and work so as to establish a preserving harmony between the made and given worlds? Or, to make that question more practical and immediate: Can great power or great wealth be kind to small places? Can the necessary industries subsist upon their natural sources without destroying them? Can the life of a farm or working forest be made compatible with the local ecosystem? Can city and country live and trade together to their mutual benefit? Can an urban economy vouchsafe the health and prosperity of its suppliers, its consumers, and its neighbors?" -Wendell Berry, from The Purpose of a Coherent Community "The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings." -Masanobu Fukuaka "Perhaps we seek to recreate the Garden of Eden, and why not? We believe that a low-energy, high-yield agriculture is a possible aim for the whole world, and that it needs only human energy and intellect to achieve this." - Bill Mollison & David Holmgren, from Permaculture One "stay together learn the flowers go light" - Gary Snyder "...When I make a table I say to myself: "All right, I'm going to make a table, and I'm going to try to make a good table". And of course, then from there on I go to the ultimate resources I have and what I know, how well I can make it. But for me to then introduce some kind of little edge, which starts trying to be a literary comment, and then somehow the table is supposed to be at the same time a good table, but it also is supposed to be I don't know what; a comment on nuclear warfare, making a little joke, doing various other things ... I'm practically naive; it doesn't make sense to me." - Christopher Alexander (debating Peter Eisenman)