🌡️Art and Climate Change Unit 3 – Environmental Art: Origins in the 60s & 70s

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Environmental art encompasses artworks that engage with, represent, or comment on the natural environment and ecological issues
• Land art involves large-scale, site-specific works that use the land itself as a medium, often in remote locations (deserts, mountains)
• Earthworks are monumental sculptures created by shaping or manipulating the land, frequently using natural materials (rocks, soil)
• Eco-art focuses on environmental sustainability, often incorporating recycled materials or addressing ecological concerns through the artwork
• Site-specificity refers to artworks designed for and responsive to a particular location, taking into account its physical, historical, and cultural context
• Ephemerality is a key aspect of many environmental artworks, which are intentionally temporary or subject to change over time due to natural processes (erosion, weathering)
• Conceptual art prioritizes the idea behind the artwork over its physical form, often using unconventional materials or challenging traditional notions of art

Historical Context of the 1960s and 1970s

• The 1960s and 1970s witnessed a growing environmental movement, sparked by concerns about pollution, resource depletion, and ecological degradation
• Rachel Carson's book "Silent Spring" (1962) raised awareness about the harmful effects of pesticides, catalyzing the modern environmental movement
• The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, marking a watershed moment in environmental activism and public consciousness
• The Vietnam War and the Cold War fueled anti-establishment sentiments and a desire for alternative ways of living and creating art
• The civil rights movement and women's liberation movement challenged traditional power structures and advocated for social and political change
• The countercultural ethos of the era emphasized a return to nature, simplicity, and spiritual exploration, influencing the development of environmental art
• Advancements in space exploration (Moon landing in 1969) provided a new perspective on the Earth and its fragility, inspiring artists to engage with global environmental concerns

Pioneering Environmental Artists

• Robert Smithson is known for his monumental earthworks, such as "Spiral Jetty" (1970), a coiled stone sculpture in the Great Salt Lake, Utah
  • Smithson's writings on the concept of "non-sites" and entropy influenced the development of land art and environmental art
• Michael Heizer created massive, site-specific sculptures in remote desert locations, such as "Double Negative" (1969-70), two trenches cut into the Nevada desert
• Walter De Maria's "The Lightning Field" (1977) consists of 400 stainless steel poles arranged in a grid in the New Mexico desert, interacting with the natural phenomenon of lightning
• Nancy Holt's "Sun Tunnels" (1973-76) are large concrete cylinders aligned with the sunrise and sunset during the summer and winter solstices in the Utah desert
• Agnes Denes is known for her ecological interventions, such as "Wheatfield - A Confrontation" (1982), in which she planted a wheat field in a landfill in lower Manhattan
• Helen and Newton Harrison collaborated on eco-art projects that addressed environmental issues, such as "Survival Pieces" (1971-73), which explored sustainable agriculture and living systems
• Alan Sonfist's "Time Landscape" (1965-present) is an ongoing project that recreates the pre-colonial forest of Manhattan in a small plot of land in the city

Notable Artworks and Projects

• "Spiral Jetty" (1970) by Robert Smithson: A monumental earthwork consisting of a coiled stone sculpture in the Great Salt Lake, Utah, that responds to the site's natural features and changes over time
• "The Lightning Field" (1977) by Walter De Maria: An installation of 400 stainless steel poles arranged in a grid in the New Mexico desert, interacting with the natural phenomenon of lightning
• "Sun Tunnels" (1973-76) by Nancy Holt: Four large concrete cylinders aligned with the sunrise and sunset during the summer and winter solstices in the Utah desert, framing the landscape and celestial events
• "Wheatfield - A Confrontation" (1982) by Agnes Denes: An ecological intervention in which the artist planted a two-acre wheat field in a landfill in lower Manhattan, juxtaposing nature and urban development
• "Survival Pieces" (1971-73) by Helen and Newton Harrison: A series of eco-art projects that explored sustainable agriculture and living systems, including portable fish farms and orchards
• "Time Landscape" (1965-present) by Alan Sonfist: An ongoing project that recreates the pre-colonial forest of Manhattan in a small plot of land in the city, preserving and educating about the area's ecological history
• "Wrapped Coast" (1968-69) by Christo and Jeanne-Claude: A temporary installation in which the artists wrapped 2.4 kilometers of coastline in Sydney, Australia, with fabric, drawing attention to the landscape and its ephemeral nature

Techniques and Materials

• Environmental artists often use natural materials found on-site, such as rocks, soil, wood, and plants, to create their artworks
• Earthmoving equipment (bulldozers, excavators) is frequently employed to shape and manipulate the land on a large scale
• Photographic documentation is crucial for recording ephemeral works and the process of creation, as many environmental artworks are temporary or subject to change over time
• Mapping and surveying techniques are used to plan and execute site-specific works, ensuring they are responsive to the landscape and its features
• Some artists incorporate industrial materials (concrete, steel) to create structures or interventions in the landscape
• Recycled and found objects are often used in eco-art to address issues of waste and sustainability
• Performance and ritual are sometimes integrated into environmental artworks, engaging the artist's body and the participation of the audience
• Collaboration with scientists, engineers, and local communities is common in environmental art projects, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and public engagement

Themes and Messages

• Environmental art often addresses the relationship between humans and nature, highlighting the impact of human activities on the environment
• Many works critique the exploitation of natural resources and the negative consequences of industrialization and consumerism
• The concept of entropy, or the gradual decline into disorder, is explored in works that embrace the natural processes of decay and transformation
• Environmental artists often seek to raise awareness about ecological issues, such as pollution, deforestation, and climate change, through their artworks
• The spiritual and metaphysical aspects of nature are investigated in works that emphasize the sublime, the transcendent, and the interconnectedness of all living things
• Some environmental artworks celebrate the beauty and power of the natural world, inviting viewers to reconnect with the environment and appreciate its intrinsic value
• The ephemerality and transience of life are reflected in works that are intentionally temporary or subject to change over time, mirroring the cycles of nature
• Environmental art often challenges traditional notions of art, blurring the boundaries between art and life, and questioning the role of the artist in society

Impact on Art and Society

• Environmental art expanded the definition of art by moving beyond the traditional gallery and museum space, and engaging with the natural world as a medium and subject
• The monumental scale and site-specificity of many environmental artworks challenged the commodification and portability of art, emphasizing the experiential and immersive aspects of viewing
• Environmental art raised public awareness about ecological issues and the importance of conservation, contributing to the growth of the environmental movement
• The interdisciplinary nature of environmental art fostered collaborations between artists, scientists, and communities, promoting dialogue and problem-solving around environmental challenges
• Environmental art influenced the development of sustainable art practices and the use of eco-friendly materials in contemporary art
• The documentation and dissemination of environmental artworks through photographs, films, and writings helped to broaden their reach and impact beyond the initial site and audience
• Environmental art inspired a new generation of artists to engage with social and political issues, and to use their art as a tool for activism and change

Legacy and Influence on Contemporary Art

• The principles and practices of environmental art continue to inform and inspire contemporary artists working with ecological themes and site-specific installations
• The use of natural materials, sustainable practices, and community engagement in contemporary art can be traced back to the pioneering work of environmental artists in the 1960s and 1970s
• Contemporary artists such as Olafur Eliasson, Maya Lin, and Nils-Udo build upon the legacy of environmental art, creating immersive installations that address climate change, biodiversity, and the human-nature relationship
• The concept of social practice art, which emphasizes community collaboration and the transformative power of art, has roots in the participatory and activist aspects of environmental art
• Environmental art's critique of the art market and the commodification of art continues to resonate with contemporary artists who seek alternative models of production and distribution
• The documentation and archiving of environmental artworks has become increasingly important in the digital age, ensuring their legacy and accessibility for future generations
• Environmental art's emphasis on process, impermanence, and the ephemeral nature of life has influenced contemporary art movements such as performance art, land art, and time-based media
• The interdisciplinary and collaborative spirit of environmental art has paved the way for contemporary artists to engage with scientists, activists, and communities in addressing urgent ecological and social issues