Nature (Mother): A Living Tapestry of Ecological Stewardship
An invitation call to shape ecological vision - Round 1 Closes 31 May
Introduction
Nature (Mother) is a 36-month multidisciplinary initiative inviting contributors from diverse fields to build a resource that rethinks our relationship with the rest of the natural world. Through this initiative, we are actively gathering these works into a living Atlas—a growing collection of ecological knowledge, creative responses, and shared practices documenting the evolving relationships between land, water, and fire. It gathers projects connected to specific bodies of water, fire, or land, fostering ecological awareness, informing policies, and strengthening our connection to the landscapes that sustain life.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Purpose and Vision
Review, Collaboration, Artist Economy and Outcomes
Important Dates
Eligibility
Formats and Support
Economic Model & Contributor Benefits
Purpose and Vision
Restoring regenerative relationships with nature has never been more important. As biodiversity loss, climate instability, and ecological inequalities accelerate, alternatives to activism emerge through truth-telling and common ground initiatives. These approaches foster fresh thinking, practical solutions, and immediate action. Nature (Mother) brings together knowledge from local traditions, cultural narratives, sciences, the arts, and creative disciplines to showcase projects that highlight nature as a nurturing force and our capacity to care for it in return.
Projects are submitted based on their connection to a body of water, landscape fire, or high ground, either physically or thematically. As water moves through the landscape—rising from the ocean, forming clouds over mountains, falling as rain, and collecting in rivers—fire is part of an ancient renewal cycle. Plants absorb carbon through photosynthesis, storing it while releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Fire, in turn, consumes oxygen and releases carbon, completing a cycle that has shaped ecosystems for millennia.
These interwoven processes sustain biodiversity, drive nutrient cycles, and define the balance between life and renewal. These cycles shape life on Earth, influencing biodiversity, climate patterns, and cultural traditions. For example, in the boreal forests of Canada and Siberia, fire is a natural and recurring force, ignited by lightning and driven by plant growth and decomposition cycles. These vast landscapes have evolved with fire, where certain species depend on burning to release seeds, renew nutrients, and sustain biodiversity—processes that continue without direct human intervention. Similarly, London is shaped by the River Thames and its uplands like Bromley or Stanmore. Fort McMurray is influenced by the Athabasca and Clearwater Rivers and the Prairies and Rockies that feed them. For example, London is shaped by the River Thames and its uplands like Bromley or Stanmore, just as Fort McMurray is influenced by the Athabasca and Clearwater Rivers and the Prairies and Rockies that feed them. As projects emerge worldwide, they contribute to a growing Atlas that maps Earth’s life-giving Critical Infrastructures instead of geopolitical lines.
Working collectively toward a common purpose has historically led to transformative movements. For example, the Land Art movement of the 1960s and 70s brought artists together to reshape perceptions of environment and scale, influencing ecological discourse globally. Similarly, Indigenous fire management practices, shared across generations and regions, demonstrate the power of collective ecological knowledge in sustaining landscapes. The Surrealist Manifesto of 1924 united artists and writers in redefining artistic and philosophical boundaries, influencing creative movements worldwide. Nature (Mother) builds on this lineage—uniting diverse perspectives to construct a shared vision for ecological stewardship.
Review, Collaboration, Release, Creative Economy, and Outcomes
In partnership with Metalabel (a pioneering platform that has collaborated with leading creators such as Ruby Justice Thelot and the Hard Art collective—including Brian Eno, Danny Boyle, Es Devlin, Jeremy Deller, Cornelia Parker, and Gavin Turk), accepted works will be initially released on their platform, designed to support meaningful collaboration and economic resilience. To maintain depth and quality, all projects are reviewed by a panel, with feedback provided depending on the outcome of the review.
The economy within Nature (Mother) is built on a model where contributions share exposure and are integrated into a system that generates financial sustainability. By participating, creators benefit from a transparent revenue-sharing structure that values their work and ensures long-term economic participation.
As projects accumulate, the CEP will develop an Atlas to connect them, leading to a series of presentations and publications.
Important Dates:
Revolve: A Gathering for Contributors (Apply by March 31, 2025)
Apply to Revolve to connect, refine your ideas, and gain insights from fellow contributors before submitting your work. This gathering fosters meaningful discussions and prepares contributors for a collaborative release on Metalabel.
Revolve will feature guests of Alan McFetridge (Artist and Founder of the CEP), Jennie Ricketts (Photography Advisor), and Yancey Strickler (Founder of Metalabel and co-founder of Kickstarter). It will take place in late April 2025.
Submission Deadline: March 31, 2025
Apply Here: Revolve
Questions? Contact alan@alan-mcfetridge.com
Origins: Nature (Mother) Round 1. Rolling Submissions (Apply by May 31, 2025)
If you have a completed work that fits the criteria, submit it for consideration in Nature (Mother) Origins round. Accepted works will be published through Metalabel, allowing contributors to retain authorship and receive earnings from sales.
Submission Dates: 5 March - 31 May, 2025
Apply Here: Origins: Nature (Mother) Round 1
For large files, email them to: alan@alan-mcfetridge.com
Eligibility:
Open to individuals and groups from all disciplines. Submissions must relate to a body of water (ocean, sea, lake, river, stream, aquifer) or land (mountain, plains, hills, desert).
Projects may explore cultural narratives tied to these environments or document their ecological significance.
Projects can be digital, physical, participatory, or a combination of these formats.
Formats and Support:
Contributions can take the form of research, artistic works, written pieces, or other creative expressions.
Projects may take physical, digital, or hybrid forms, following Metalabel’s model for creative and collaborative releases.
Accepted contributors may receive guidance and access to resources to help refine and present their projects.
Economic Model & Contributor Benefits:
Unlike traditional open calls, Nature (Mother) ensures that contributors share their work for visibility and are part of a collaborative economic model. Through Metalabel’s platform, accepted works will be released and available for sale, with contributors handling their own production and fulfillment while receiving earnings directly from sales.
How It Works:
Projects are released on Metalabel, where they become part of a collective drop that engages global audiences.
Contributors retain authorship and receive earnings from sales based on Metalabel’s revenue-sharing model.
When enough material is gathered for the first Nature (Mother) anthology, participants will also receive a share of the revenue generated from its sales.
This approach supports financial sustainability while ensuring work reaches the right audience in a meaningful way.
By joining Nature (Mother), contributors become part of a new model of creative publishing—where ideas, art, and ecological thought are valued not just in principle, but economically.
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