Greener Pastures: The Environmental Art Museum

I know what the environment is, and I know what art is, but it was hard for me to picture what those two words together mean.  Does an environmental artist have to work solely in recycled materials?  Do they create their art in nature?  Are there carbon offsets involved?  It turns out the the term "environmental art" covers a wide range of projects, and the Environmental Art Museum showcases an interesting selection of examples.

According to the museum's page of definitions, environmental art "is art that helps us improve our relationship with the natural world".  That seems like it could cover a lot of the art that's been made throughout human history, doesn't it?  The definition continues, explaining that environmental art is often "ephemeral", site-specific, and involves partnerships with non-artists.  That narrows it down a little bit, but it's still a pretty broad definition - which explains why the art featured here is so diverse.

There is, for example, a disc which claims that the column of air extending above as independent from any nation.  There's also a lace canopy that serves as an irrigation system for the grass seeds planted within it, and a landfill that was made into colorful crop circles.  For each of these works you can read about the artist and their explanation for each piece, and there are many links to the artist's website and to external information.  You can also view images of the art at different sizes, which really helps in getting a sense of location and context for these pieces.

If you're interested in more information about environmental art in general, there are in-depth guides for how you can this art to a classroom, a park and your community.  There's also a well-written section on the working methods of environmental art, so that you could (in theory, at least) create your own piece.  If you're searching for a more academic take on environmental art, there are several essays written by the museum's volunteers, though I found them a little too long and dry for popular consumption.

The only thing I wish I could change about this museum is the way the artists and art are presented.  There are a few featured artists strewn around the homepage, but otherwise you have a navigate through a sidebar listing all the artists alphabetically.  Maybe it's because I think in categories, but I wish these artists has been grouped in some sort of logical way - perhaps by medium or working location.  Scrolling through a list and hoping to come across something you find interesting is not the best way explore a new form of art.

In some sense, I wonder whether this website is contradictory to the terms of environmental art.  After all, if environmental art is about location-specific work subject to the ravages of nature, why is it being preserved on the internet?  Although viewing images on a screen does take something away from each piece, it is interesting to see and learn about art you may never get to experience in person.  I would recommend poking around at the Environmental Art Museum, but keep in mind as you browse that you're only seeing a part of the whole.


Environmental Art Museum
Mission:  Our goal is to inform, inspire and connect people through environmental art and encourage the creation of new work that serves communities and ecosystems.
Website:  www.greenmuseum.org