Environmental Art History in 17 Milestones
The 54th issue of Artribune Magazine explores the evolution of environmental art from 1965 to 2019. It highlights significant pieces such as Alan Sonfist's 'Time Landscape' (1965, completed 1978), the 1968 'Earth Works' exhibition at Dwan Gallery featuring artists like Walter De Maria and Robert Smithson, and Buster Simpson's contribution at Woodstock (1969). Helen and Newton Harrison's 'Survival Pieces' commenced in 1970, with 'Portable Fish Farm' (1971) inciting debate. Additional works include NILS-UDO's 'Hommage à Gustav Mahler' (1973) and Betty Beaumont's 'Ocean Landmark' (1978). Joseph Beuys planted 7,000 oak trees for Documenta 7 (1982), while Agnes Denes created a wheat field on a landfill (1982). The movement continued with Mel Chin's 'Revival Field' (1991) and the 2002 'Ecovention' exhibition. Notable mentions include art's involvement at COP15 (2009), Isaac Cordal's 'Waiting for Climate Change' (2012), Olafur Eliasson's 'Ice Watch' (2014), and the Climate Museum (2016). Lorenzo Quinn's installation at the 2017 Venice Biennale and the '25×25' exhibition at COP25 (2019) are also featured.
Key facts
- Alan Sonfist conceived Time Landscape in 1965, realized in 1978.
- Earth Works exhibition at Dwan Gallery in 1968 launched Land Art.
- Woodstock 1969 had Buster Simpson as art director.
- Helen and Newton Harrison's Portable Fish Farm (1971) caused protests.
- NILS-UDO's Hommage à Gustav Mahler (1973) was designed to disappear.
- Betty Beaumont's Ocean Landmark (1978) used 500 tons of waste coal.
- Joseph Beuys planted 7,000 oak trees in Kassel for Documenta 7 (1982).
- Agnes Denes grew wheat on a Manhattan landfill in 1982.
- Mel Chin and Rufus Chaney's Revival Field (1991) used plants for soil remediation.
- Barbara Matilsky defined ecological art in 1992 catalog Fragile Ecologies.
- Ecovention exhibition at Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati in 2002.
- COP15 in Copenhagen (2009) featured art prominently.
- Isaac Cordal began Waiting for Climate Change series in 2012.
- Olafur Eliasson's Ice Watch (2014) used Greenland ice in Copenhagen.
- Climate Museum in New York founded in 2016.
- Lorenzo Quinn's hands installation at 2017 Venice Biennale.
- 25×25 exhibition at COP25 in Madrid (2019) with 25 artists.
Entities
Artists
- Alan Sonfist
- Walter De Maria
- Richard Long
- Robert Morris
- Dennis Oppenheim
- Robert Smithson
- Buster Simpson
- Helen Harrison
- Newton Harrison
- NILS-UDO
- Betty Beaumont
- Joseph Beuys
- Agnes Denes
- Mel Chin
- Rufus Chaney
- Barbara Matilsky
- Sue Spaid
- Amy Lipton
- Isaac Cordal
- Olafur Eliasson
- Justin Brice Guariglia
- Lorenzo Quinn
- Maurita Cardone
Institutions
- Dwan Gallery
- Hayward Gallery
- Documenta 7
- Contemporary Arts Center Cincinnati
- Climate Museum
- United Nations
- IPCC
- Artribune Magazine
- Leslie Tonkonow Artworks + Projects
Locations
- New York
- Manhattan
- London
- Kassel
- Minnesota
- Copenhagen
- Denmark
- Long Island
- Greenland
- Venice
- Italy
- Madrid
- Spain
- Cincinnati
- Battery Park Landfill
- Grand Canal
- Hotel Ca' Sagredo
- Bankside