Angelene Kaufmann – Earth and Art

Preface:

My name is Angelene Kaufmann, and my portfolio is titled “Earth and Art.”  The type of licensing I will be using is CC BY-NC-ND.

Introduction:

Earth art is a movement that focuses on using the natural landscape and resources of an area to make artwork. This art form focuses on a minimalistic approach to art, creating pieces that emphasize the natural beauty of our surroundings. It also encourages audiences to think about how both art and our Earth have been commodified, as a central aspect of Earth art is how the pieces are created outside of museums or galleries. This means that this art is a part of the landscape and is meant to be appreciated without the interest of money. Additionally, conceptualism is another central part of this art form, as many of the pieces are meant to either adapt to or disintegrate back into the environment, which urges audiences to focus on the relationship between humans, Earth, and time.

Themes:

Earth art is an art form that prioritizes the idea that art is something that can be made anywhere, with anything, as well as how nature is simply art. One theme explored heavily in this art form is the interactions between industrialization and nature. Many Earth artworks are made with the intent to draw attention to how the environment is negatively impacted by ongoing industrialization, as it has led society to have a growing disregard for nature. As industrialization continues, it goes on to overtake the natural land. Through Earth art, artists draw attention to this contrast between land and industry, as well as the importance and importance of nature.

Another theme that is central to Earth art is the concept of nature and decay. Many of these artworks look to draw attention to the relationship nature has with decay, and to push viewers to inquire about our impact on the Earth, as well as to contemplate the idea of time. Earth artworks use natural materials, often the land itself, and over time these pieces often become a part of the land, either through the land adapting to it or by breaking apart until it disappears. This draws attention to how the artwork decays as a result of the power of nature.

Analysis:

“Spiral Jetty Smithson Laramee” by Netherzone is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

The “Spiral Jetty” was created by Robert Smithson in 1970. The artwork is made out of natural materials such as rocks and algae, and is an example of how art can become a part of its environment, as well as how it is influenced by nature. The spiral erodes as a result of the water and disappears with the rise of the tide. Furthermore, as this artwork is simply a part of nature and is not always, it discourages the idea that art is a commodity.

“Storm King 2011” by karlnorling is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

The “Storm King Wavefield” was created by Maya Lin in 2008. Lin created these wavefields in an area that had once been a gravel pit. This artwork highlights how an area that had once been used for industry can return to a natural state, creating a feeling of relief and relaxation. It shows how humans can impact land, and the land is now a living artwork, emphasizing the natural attraction of the land.

“170714 021 Nordstadtpark – Agnes Denes, The Living Pyramid” by G4GTi is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

“The Living Pyramid” was created by Agnes Denes in 2015. This piece is made of terraces that grow thousands of plants. The plants live and die, causing the appearance of the structure to change over time. This structure conveys the idea of nature and decay as well as how nature interacts with civilization, symbolized the by pyramid. It portrays how nature, over time, restores itself even if it has to adapt to structures.

All of these artworks draw attention to the issues of climate change and how humanity impacts the Earth, such as through industrialization, as well as how we can learn to appreciate and learn from the natural artistry of Earth. This art form encourages both artists and viewers to think more deeply about the space around us as well as other concepts, such as birth, death, and time.

Application:

Earth art rose to popularity in the 1960s and 1970s in the United States. It was influenced by conceptualism and minimalism, however, there is more emphasis on art and its relation to the environment and climate change. Many of these artworks are made using solely the natural landscape and act as a piece of the earth that will eventually become one again with the land. The purpose of Earth art is to encourage audiences to evaluate how society views both art and the earth, which is nowadays a commodity, not often viewed simply for its beauty. This art form raises awareness about the importance of the conservation of our natural areas, which are threatened by issues like industrialization and climate change.