The Art and Science of Demonstrating Deep Time

Conveying the depths of geologic time is something science instructors work hard to do, especially for introductory classes which are heavily populated with non-science majors. Conveying a sense of geologic time is also something many artists have worked hard to do using their own approaches. Presenting the vision of artists in conveying deep time can work as an effective 'demonstration' within an Earth science class. The two views, scientific and artistic, of deep time can lead to an appreciation that each individually can not achieve. Additionally, several art pieces suggest even more tangible class room or 'do it yourself' demonstrations that can be undertaken. Examples include: 1) Mark Dion's Deep Time Closet (which owes much to the art of Robert Smithson, which itself suggests several active demonstrations related to geologic time and geologic processes) and 2) Walter De Maria's Vertical Earth Kilometer (a great visceral connection between digging into the Earth and effectively moving in time). These and others (the exact number depending on how much time I myself can find before agu) will be covered, as well as the general use of art based demonstrations within a science class.