Today I’m taking a look at the artists’ responsibility to be a good steward of the earth and the value that earth and art bring to one another. If you’ve been here for awhile, you know my work is heavily influenced by nature. I’m often inspired by the colors of our midwest sunsets, and the desert hues typical of the southwest. When I need to unwind, taking a hike or sleeping outside for a night always seems to set me on the right path. For me, creating art has aways invoked that same sense of calm and connectivity.
“In the 20th century, alongside rising global concerns surrounding the state of the environment's health, and our impact as humans upon it, many artists started creating works in collaboration with the physical world to draw attention to ecological issues as well our relationship and contribution to them. As a more defined concept, Environmental art has gained more traction since the 1990s when artists began to think about their surroundings not just in terms of lived or built space, but as a cohesive system in which humans have a central part to play.”
In a perfect world, our relationship with the earth is cyclical, and we replenish what we take. In the same way we take care in the goods and products we consume, artists also need to be aware of their environmental impact. I keep this in mind whenever I’m sourcing materials, and thinking about the life cycle of what I create. One of my favorite fiber suppliers works primarily with recycled and organic cotton, as well as repurposed fabric from the garment industry. The owner, Nuria, is a fiber artist herself. She strives to empower women and provide quality products through her small Florida business. She says, “I truly believe in the magic of creating, it can change your life and give you the needed space and time for oneself.”
“Environmental artists aim to work in harmony with the natural environment rather than disrupt it. This means they deeply consider the impact that they as individuals have on nature and do not sacrifice its health or wellbeing in order to create work.”
Both art and nature require us to slow down, observe and absorb that which we might typically miss. Because of this, art can act as a link to environmental awareness and advocating for change. Participating in either art or nature invokes a meditative state that is so crucial for our busy lives. Art helps us to be mindful, and so much of helping the earth starts with nurturing our own well-being so that we CAN take care of the world we have.
“So what do we do about it? The answer is that we learn how to be regenerators of landscapes. This goes way beyond agriculture to include how we regenerate health and wellbeing, the ability to discern and take effective actions, community trust and neighborly relations, and ultimately the belief that humans can be a force for good on a dying planet.”
The Earth Day Daily Challenge I chose for today is “create art for the earth.” I invite you to slow down, take a moment to think about what the earth has given you today, and create for it. Be mindful of the materials you use, and think about what else you can do to give back.
“We often forget that WE ARE NATURE. Nature is not something separate from us.
So when we say that we have lost our connection to nature,
we’ve lost our connection to ourselves.”
- Andy Goldsworthy
Resources: Global Footprint Network, Post Carbon Institute, The Art Story