Environmental art is a relatively modern addition to the range of topics and media that artists use to express their ideas. Artists like Christo and Jeanne- Claude (see p. 272) draw attention to features of the urban or rural landscape, their work developing into a commentary on environmental issues. Artists emphasise a greater sensitivity to the natural environment through their work, and challenge the general public to be conscious of the dangers of environmental change. Architects and designers have raised awareness of the issues facing the human environment and have responded with ideas on how to improve our use of resources.
www.youtube.com – Search for ‘Cave Art 101 | National Geographic’ (3:18) to learn what prehistoric art can tell us about our world
www.youtube.com – Search for ‘The Case for Land Art | The Art Assignment | PBS Digital Studios’ (9:29) to gain a better understanding of Land Art
Chapter Review
1. Do you think that making art is a natural human response to our environment? Write and sketch some illustrations to support your points.
2. Can you find some of the art elements and design principles in a work of environmental art? Make sketches and notes to explain your findings.
3. Architecture is a human effort to control our environment. Describe, in words and sketches, a building you think creates a good human environment.
4. Do you see street art as vandalism or a legitimate art form? Use examples of the work of two street artists to make your points.
5. Write and sketch an account of a piece of public art that appeals to you.
6. What do you think are the most important environmental issues that face designers? Illustrate, in words and sketches, two examples of environmentally well-designed products.
www.greentech-news.org/most-amazing- eco-friendly-buildings – Contains an informative video on the most amazing eco- friendly buildings in our contemporary world
www.youtube.com – Search for ‘This street art is absolutely breath-taking’ (15:02) to watch a video about how street art can inspire, surprise and transform a boring urban environment
www.youtube.com – Search for ‘Public Art Documentary in Dublin Ireland’ (4:08) to learn more about public art in Ireland
www.youtube.com – Search for ‘Creative public sculptures in the world’ (5:34) to watch a video with a selection of public art from around the world
www.youtube.com – Search for ‘Being in the Land - A Sculptural Investigation of Ecology – Eileen Hutton’ (2:16) to see how one artist is blurring the lines between ecology and art
www.youtube.com – Search for ‘How product design can change the world | Christiaan Maats | TEDxUniversityofGroningen’ (13:06) to learn more about how products can embody a change in our world
