Original Artwork by Asher Jay

I take issue with nature becoming a subset of artifice. Ecosystems worldwide are already extensively curated by man, and that has resulted in few positive outcomes if any. When you zoom out to see the larger picture, every human invention and intervention has resulted in a Black Swan*. This process of “regenesis” which is not only expensive but in its highly volatile, inchoate stages has no credibility as a sustainable solution, its potential is solely in one’s vivid imagination.
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Cetus Cause Campaign by Asher Jay

In the depths the sounds about precede the coming scene. The brooding echoes and groans of giants somewhere out in the shadows. Flashes of bubbles ripple, released to the surface by some darting fish.
Beams of light thread through hydrogen and oxygen molecules, falling through the water as though some holiness might be found in the cathedrals of the ocean.

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Asher Jay‘s Tail Sail Tee design for Green Changes.

Design information: The sea creatures comprising the whale fluke in this design have been illustrated by piecing together plastic waste silhouettes from the blue. The hammerhead is composed of a razor blade, an ointment tube, plastic knives and a sunscreen bottle. One fish consists of a flip-flop and a shaving brush whilst the other is made of a bottle rim, two PET bottles, and two combs. This artwork was created to cast a light on plastic pollution in the ocean.

Enjoy this beautifully contoured fashion crew with a delicate position of a Whale Fluke (see the fluke details below). Green Changes has partnered with Asher Jay to create limited edition designs intended to cast a light on specific environmental matters.

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an original graphic illustration by Asher Jay

The Truth about the Pointless Feel Good Law:

Recently New York City banned the sale of big sodas while refusing to ban the sale of shark fins and shark fin soup. Yes you read that right, they chose to make it illegal to buy a large sugar filled drink while refusing to protect a critically endangered species. One has to wonder what political force drove this misguided idea, which will do nothing to protect the public’s health and be worse for the environment, into place. Soda consumers that once bought one or two large bottles a week will now be buying several smaller bottles in its place, which will only result in the generation of more plastic waste.
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an original mixed media work by Asher Jay

- an original literary work by ©Asher Jay 2013

Dear, you invert the starlit sky
Where sleeping whales dream
You sink to float my finite frame
You meld in night with day.
A frothy lace frosts your reaching arms
When you drop in on sandy shores
A salty kiss to sun parched skin
Where man’s envy traps pulsing hoards
My body within your silken folds
As limber driftwood, I’m yours to move,
With each swell you weave me in
A castaway’s loss and final hope
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It was taking longer than I initially projected, and the constant glances I was casting at the colossal watch cuffed to my wrist were beginning to make all my very capable assistants quite nervous. I was in danger of running late for the Colorado European Union Center of Excellence’s (CEUCE) Ocean Conservation Luncheon, which boasted an incredible line-up of speakers, the promise of organic, heart-healthy food and a chance for me to click a Kodak moment with Jean-Michel Cousteau! There has not been a day in my career, as a blue fanatic and creative conservationist, when I have not felt the need to be in two places at once. However, I am getting ahead of myself; Colorado Ocean Coalition’s (COCO) Making Waves 2012 began the previous evening at 7:00 p.m. at a quaint restaurant in Boulder.

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Original Graphic Design by Asher Jay

Every woman wants to emanate beauty and good health but most are oblivious of the true costs embedded in the supply chain of products promising such aesthetic allure. Several species are made to subsidize the real manufacturing costs of the cosmetics industry. Irresponsible marketing has anchored superficial female stereotypes in an ignorant bubble of vanity, one that fails to account for the extermination of many species from land mammals such as the Rhino and Tiger to marine creatures like Sharks and Krill. All of nature’s bounty is being exploited to the point of extinction. If you are wondering, ‘Just how necessary is it to use a by- product of an animal when making cosmetics and health products?’ The answer is, it is not in the least essential to developing an effective end product, there are several sustainable alternatives already available in the market place. Consumers need to take the time to read all ingredients and discern at what cost they are willing to purchase a given brand. The use of animal derivatives has more to do with tradition and myth than science, statistics and hard facts. The expression ‘you are what you eat’ is absolutely true and if your diet is filled with junk your body will show that no matter how expensive the cream or how endangered and exotic a plant or animal animal it was made from.

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Asher Jay Collaborates with the Finatics on Message in a Bottle

The “Shark Finatics” is a special interest and advocacy group composed of students who attend the Green Chimneys School in Brewster, New York. The Finatics are fanatics about real life jabber-jaws from Wobbegong and Goblin sharks to Cookiecutters and Great Whites. These charming marine champions are heavily invested in shark conservation. From fundraising campaigns, to adopting sharks these enterprising young crusaders have taken it upon themselves to cast a light on the global decline in Selachii populations on account of the barbarous practice of “Finning”. Robin Culler, a compassionate, engaging visionary is the force behind this group of youth activists and she helped facilitate this wonderful collaboration with Sea Speak Sphere’s Message in a Bottle. This creative partnership furnished students with the opportunity to candidly express their concerns and hopes for the ocean and its myriad wild creatures through installation art. The Finatics know that they have a voice and they work relentlessly to have it heard.

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Photograph by Staci-Lee Sherwood

Sea Turtles have been around about 150 million years and unlike the dinosaurs have managed to survive…so far. Their struggles begin in the nest, which is sometimes filled with trash and fishing line so many of the hatchlings get trapped or caught and need to be rescued as newborns. As they crawl to the top of the nest and attempt to make their way to the ocean they are often bombarded with bright artificial lights that confuse and disorientate them causing them to race toward the light instead of the ocean. In Florida alone thousands of newborn sea turtles die each season because of light disorientation when they are only a few hours old and all of this is human caused and preventable.

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On July 23, 2012 (Monterey, CA) — Jean-Michele Cousteau and Dr. Sylvia Earle were among the ocean film and conservation leaders that helped announce the list of film finalists for BLUE Ocean Film Festival, in a Google+ Hangout. The live online event was joined and watched by filmmakers from around the globe. The 100+ finalist films will all be screened at this year’s festival, September 24th-30th, in Monterey, CA.

About the BLUE Ocean Film Festival:
Every two years ocean leaders, filmmakers, photographers, scientists, explorers, entertainment executives – and the general public– gather in Monterey at BLUE to honor the best in ocean filmmaking, to learn more about the issues facing our oceans, and to collaborate on improving the future of our oceans and humanity. The seven-day event is charged with energy as these diverse groups of people share knowledge and ideas with each other and with the general public.
The four elements that make up BLUE come together to create a truly unique event that:
• Honors the world’s best ocean films through the best-in-class film competition.
• Promotes the critical dialog between filmmakers and scientists, to inspire great films.
• Connects ocean filmmakers with the latest technology, financing and distribution resources.
• Engages & Empowers public audiences — in Monterey and around the globe — by Sharing the World’s Greatest Collection of Ocean Films.

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