One of the most pressing concerns to many artists is our deteriorating
environment. Yet not many environmentalists outside the art world are aware
of artists' contributions, both in raising environmental concerns and
working on solutions. More and more artists are dealing with environmental
topics in their artworks. As with feminist art theory, an underlying theme
of these artists is that the personal is the political. As a reaction to
life on a polluted planet, many artists exhibit a particular concern with
systems and the place of humans within those systems.
While some artists focus on documenting or commenting on the destruction of
the planet, others are using their creativity to find solutions.
Environmentalists in all fields could learn from the strategies of our
colleagues in the arts. After all, aesthetics are important to our lives
too. In the discouragement and despair that many concerned people
experience, artists can help to lift our spirits and inspire us to find
creative ways to take action to restore the Earth.
Excepts from "Artists and the Environment: A report from the 81st College
Art Association Conference in Seattle." Greta de Groat, Electronic Green
Journal, WLN Bibliographic Information Services. Lacy, WA, 98503-0888 USA.
For more information on artists and the environment, visit
http://www.artecology.org/issue17a.html.html
Best,
Lynda Roberts
Director, Artecology
http://www.artecology.org
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