11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
[HCG27-P06] “Stone Face Contest” for familiarizing geological diversity
Keywords:geopark activities, geodiversity, social media, geo art, popularization, science communication
1 Background
Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark is one of Japan’s first regions designated as a Global Geopark in 2009. Crossed by the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line, which splits the Japanese Archipelago geologically, its western side features Japan’s national stone jade as well as other old age rocks (serpentinite, limestone, chert, granite, etc.), while the eastern side contains new rocks (rhyolite, andesite, sandstone, mudstone, etc) which filled up the Fossa Magna. These many different rocks all collect along Itoigawa’s rocky beaches. To make use of this local resource for regional promotion, Itoigawa City, home of our Geopark, began the city promotion “Stone Town Project.” This presentation reports on the contents and effects of the “Stone Face Contest” held in 2021 and discusses further developments in line with the Geopark principles.
2 Stone-Face Contest
This project, themed on “using stones around you for art,” encourages participants to use stones they find along the coasts and rivers to make their own unique “stone faces.” The concept design was created in collaboration with the famous illustrator team “tupera tupera.” By thinking of names and personalities for these “Stone Faces,” participants’ imaginations are engaged. They then create unique works of art, creating a sense of connection not only to their art, but to the stones they used to create it.
The contest for Stone Faces was held from 18 Oct 2021 to 19 Dec 2021. Entries were submitted through hashtags on social media (Instagram, Twitter). Among the entrants was an individual with followers in the tens of thousands whose posted video was viewed over 30,000 times. As a result, about 1,300 entries were submitted and the social media account acquired 3,800 new followers on Instagram and 570 followers on Twitter (as of December 2021).
3 Familiarization Effects and Future Perspectives
Through this contest, the participants were able to examine the shapes, patterns and other easily recognizable features of each stone, coming to understand the many different stones around them, and learning that no two stones are exactly alike. This is a tool for experiencing and understanding geological diversity and promotes interest in stones other than jade, thereby reducing its over-collection and instilling a sense of value and desire for conservation of geological diversity. Also, many of the entrants were parents of small children, young adults who are a demographic traditionally less interested in earth science and geopark activities. Through the use of social media, the campaign running costs were kept low, resulting in a very cost-effective promotional strategy.
In the future, it will be imperative to deepen the understanding among these demographic strata who sit just at the entrance to earth science and geopark activities to help them enjoy the Geopark even more. Our Geopark operates a free stone consultation service which helps visitors learn more about stones they find along the coasts and rivers. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, this service saw over 200,000 users each year. To further develop this program, we are working to produce tradeable “stone cards” to give to visitors for each variety of stone they find. Each card will feature information about the stone’s characteristics (such as type, appearance, trivia, etc.) as well as information about where it is produced in Itoigawa Geopark, encouraging visitors to collect cards and learn more about each stone’s geological background. Programs like “Stone Faces” and “Stone Cards” provide stratified content to match the interest levels of different visitors, becoming a key tool for engaging a wider demographic in Geopark Activities.
Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark is one of Japan’s first regions designated as a Global Geopark in 2009. Crossed by the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line, which splits the Japanese Archipelago geologically, its western side features Japan’s national stone jade as well as other old age rocks (serpentinite, limestone, chert, granite, etc.), while the eastern side contains new rocks (rhyolite, andesite, sandstone, mudstone, etc) which filled up the Fossa Magna. These many different rocks all collect along Itoigawa’s rocky beaches. To make use of this local resource for regional promotion, Itoigawa City, home of our Geopark, began the city promotion “Stone Town Project.” This presentation reports on the contents and effects of the “Stone Face Contest” held in 2021 and discusses further developments in line with the Geopark principles.
2 Stone-Face Contest
This project, themed on “using stones around you for art,” encourages participants to use stones they find along the coasts and rivers to make their own unique “stone faces.” The concept design was created in collaboration with the famous illustrator team “tupera tupera.” By thinking of names and personalities for these “Stone Faces,” participants’ imaginations are engaged. They then create unique works of art, creating a sense of connection not only to their art, but to the stones they used to create it.
The contest for Stone Faces was held from 18 Oct 2021 to 19 Dec 2021. Entries were submitted through hashtags on social media (Instagram, Twitter). Among the entrants was an individual with followers in the tens of thousands whose posted video was viewed over 30,000 times. As a result, about 1,300 entries were submitted and the social media account acquired 3,800 new followers on Instagram and 570 followers on Twitter (as of December 2021).
3 Familiarization Effects and Future Perspectives
Through this contest, the participants were able to examine the shapes, patterns and other easily recognizable features of each stone, coming to understand the many different stones around them, and learning that no two stones are exactly alike. This is a tool for experiencing and understanding geological diversity and promotes interest in stones other than jade, thereby reducing its over-collection and instilling a sense of value and desire for conservation of geological diversity. Also, many of the entrants were parents of small children, young adults who are a demographic traditionally less interested in earth science and geopark activities. Through the use of social media, the campaign running costs were kept low, resulting in a very cost-effective promotional strategy.
In the future, it will be imperative to deepen the understanding among these demographic strata who sit just at the entrance to earth science and geopark activities to help them enjoy the Geopark even more. Our Geopark operates a free stone consultation service which helps visitors learn more about stones they find along the coasts and rivers. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, this service saw over 200,000 users each year. To further develop this program, we are working to produce tradeable “stone cards” to give to visitors for each variety of stone they find. Each card will feature information about the stone’s characteristics (such as type, appearance, trivia, etc.) as well as information about where it is produced in Itoigawa Geopark, encouraging visitors to collect cards and learn more about each stone’s geological background. Programs like “Stone Faces” and “Stone Cards” provide stratified content to match the interest levels of different visitors, becoming a key tool for engaging a wider demographic in Geopark Activities.