I dance underwater to raise awareness about ocean conservation

My name is Christine Ren and I've created a series that combines movement artistry and underwater photography.

My mission: to catapult the environmental movement to the forefront of both the public and political arenas.

After pirouetting my way from dance and ocean science careers into photography and film, I now spread environmental messages through underwater activism.

Here's an example:

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And another one:

(Shot by: Brett Stanley as part of a campaign against plastic pollution called, "Blind Spots.")

WHO I AM

(Shot by: Jose G. Jano as part of a series about ghost fishing entitled "Silent Killers.")

I tend to hold definitions of myself rather loosely, as I've found much of life's joys lie in discovering yourself and those around you anew each day. As a means of introduction, however, I'd say I'm an underwater activist spreading messages of ocean conservation through photography and film.

I often say instead that I'm the infinite photographs, both captured and yet to be. Or on days I'm feeling mystical, that I'm an awe-filled living pulse in an ecosystem of infinites. Both drop and ocean.

WHAT I DO

(Shot by: Jose G. Jano as part of a climate activism campaign called "The 11th Hour.")

My work embodies the idea that ocean conservation is a human issue. Using my body as my canvas, I conceptualize, direct and perform in underwater imagery campaigns that foster new conservation ethics.

Here's a sampling of the underwater madness I've cooked up so far:

• Tied myself up in nets underwater to raise awareness about plastic pollution;
• Pushed a trash-filled shopping cart around underwater blindfolded to combat plastic pollution;
• Took a stand against ocean overfishing;
• Promoted climate activism with the help of clock sculptor Noah McGinley.

To-date, my underwater performance work has been featured by FStoppers, Nat Geo, KQED, FStoppers, Petapixel, Phoblographer, and more. I love collaborating with artists from all over the world who come together to leverage their skills towards making the world a better place.

I also have a deep love of post-production Photoshop tinkering, and create imagery composites like this:

And if that didn't keep me busy enough, I write short narratives and poetry, some of which are quite popular on MEDIUM. I'm excited to now share my literary work through Steemit as well!

(Read the full poem, "The Up and Down Day," being transformed into a children's book.)

WHY I'M HERE

I came to Steemit because it's time to usher in an era of creativity as currency. I don't believe in the starving artist model. I never have and never will.

Each morning, as I climb out of bed for my customary cup of jasmine green tea, my head bursts with a force of stories and dreams that I cannot contain and scramble to capture. I believe this creative stream holds intrinsic value; it contains our unique offerings we can gift to the world. This is why I love the idea of Steemit rewarding content creators and empowering artists.

I'll be bringing my writing obsession to the Steemit community, along with my upcoming photo composites and underwater work.

Please drop a COMMENT and give me a FOLLOW!

Happy creative trails everyone :)