In Collaboration with Nature?
Nature-connectedness and the artists’ lens
As artists, there is a dialogue that we all share with nature, an instinctual give and take with the environments we inhabit. I have heard countless stories about this relationship, many are humorous, many are inspiring, and all are so very, very human. When first considering the bond between earth and artist, my mind immediately wandered to early Homo Sapiens painting neighboring species with iron oxide; Georgia O’Keefe dragging animal bones across fields in the New Mexico heat to paint later in her studio; Agnes Denes pairing poetry with forestry; and the modern artist who celebrates, challenges, and advocates for the world around them. This is all to say that people have been inspired and in partnership with the planet for a very long time. Art is a connector, and it is my opinion that artists not only create to understand all that’s around us, but to facilitate a tangible connection that goes beyond the five senses.
Taking all of this into account and reflecting on the true meaning of collaboration, I now realize that this initial thought process is fraught with inaccuracies. The intention of artists is correct, yet is the outcome truly a collaboration with nature? In order to truly understand what it means to be collaborative, let’s begin with a simple definition. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, to collaborate is to “to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor”.1 With this in mind, in order to truly be in collaboration with another, it must be mutually beneficial. Otherwise, one is simply in service to the other. So, what is nature getting out of it each time an artist makes their work?
For a long time, artists have channeled meaning through the art they create and the landscape that hosts them. They have spent time in spaces that give significance to their creativity and then capture these impressions for the pleasure of human eyes. It is with this realization, that at first glance, it is clear that most artists do not have a partnership with nature that could be considered mutually beneficial. This is not to say that there are no collaborative artists. For instance, Jason DeCaires Taylor’s underwater sculptures are an excellent example of when art is made for nature, not just from nature; his work will have a long-lasting positive impact on the very spaces that inspired him.2 Though his underwater museums that promote coral reef restoration is a somewhat extreme example, the point remains that most of us cannot claim to be directly beneficial to the ecosystems we advocate for. Admittedly, this has left me in a bit of a conundrum.
Cannes Underwater Eco-Museum, Île Sainte-Marguerite, France, Jason DeCaires Taylor
As an artist, my work has always been deeply rooted in the environment around me, with the forests, animals, and rivers of the Pacific Northwest being my source of wonder and inspiration. Over the past few years, I have been curious about the relationship between artists and nature. Through my creative practice, I have always hoped to foster a deeper connection between humans and the planet. However, when I turn the mirror on myself, is the relationship I claim to have with the ecosystems around me a true relationship of give and take? What do the landscapes of Washington State get from the traces I leave? These types of questions have incited an exploration within myself where I often ask, “Am I hypocritical in practice”? This journey has led me down a winding path of leaving behind all things acrylic in favor of more natural materials. It has also guided me to the idea of abstract collaboration. Though mine and other art practices might not have a tangible impact on planet restoration efforts, our collaborative role is one of persistent advocacy. Perhaps, you don’t have to be placing your art into nature in order to give back to it. Though indirect in approach, this has the potential to have a ripple effect that extends culture, geography, and time.
Memory of the Forest, wildfire charcoal on paper, Jillian Ballas
The Environmental Artist
What we are seeing with the Environmental Art Movement is a shift in how artists interact with the earth, where although many of us might not be working with nature, we are now working for nature, giving voice to climate injustices when nature cannot. Instead of simply appreciating the aesthetic beauty of a space, we are now creating works that tell the story of human impact and the challenges our planet now faces. For many of us, a love of the environment starts in early childhood. As for me, I spent much of my time growing up exploring the forested acreage behind my childhood home with bare feet and an endless imagination. These early memories have unfolded into a life-long connection and devotion to the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. The art I create is a reflection of this commitment. Where I can’t claim that my artistic practice is in collaboration with the rivers and mountains of my home, I wholeheartedly believe that it is my version of advocating for the planet. Even if I am not in direct collaboration with the environment I care most about, I can ensure that my artist practice reflects the very same actions that I ask of my viewers.
Today, artists have the power to make a resounding impact on the landscapes they love, adding their creative talent to a growing community determined to change culture and heal our relationship with the planet. Whether ideas are shared through sound, movement, words, or the visual arts, environmental artists are weaving connections between humanity and the non-human world. As artists continue on this mission of climate advocacy, I invite them to consider how their artistic practice holds up to the very same demands we ask of our audience. If you can’t be in direct collaboration with nature - making a tangible impact - how is your work taking into account its own environmental impact? As creators we need to make sure that we hold ourselves to the same standards we ask of the community we challenge every day.
References
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Collaboration definition & meaning. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collaboration
Home. Underwater Sculpture by Jason deCaires Taylor. (2024, April 23). https://underwatersculpture.com/
This article was originally published at: Natural Resonance