Nature the Ultimate Inspiration for Art: Its Capabilities and Role to Conserve and Sustain the Environment

INTRODUCTION

Nature or environment is the physical world that encompasses every living and non living matter on the planet. Natural environment include rocks, mountains, forests. Land, ocean, river etc and provide food and shelter and hospitable atmosphere for living.[1] These natural resources are vital for the existence of life and balance of ecosystem in nature. Everything life needs for existence and evolution is provide by nature like food for nutrition, material for shelter and natural cycles of climate for environment to exist. Beyond physical necessities nature provides inspiration for creation, spiritualism and appreciation of beauty and aesthetics in life.[2] The relation of art and nature has a history of existence since emergence of human consciousness on planet earth. Nature existed way before human life on earth and created environment for life to evolve. Since beginning of human civilization nature provided for the needs of living. Art has been an inseparable part of nature as creation is the basic essence of nature. Art became part of existence and way of existence pre historic era of human race, as human was in sync with nature and its surroundings. Everything consumed for mind or body was derived from the atmosphere nature provided. Inspiration for the mind and material for creating form of imagination was found and extracted from the resources of nature. Human connection with nature made his art more rhythmic and relevant to the environment. The visuals from surroundings became inspiration for symbolic representation of art. The mediums to express in physical forms of art like sculptures and paintings were also found from the surroundings. Mediums like wood, graphite, charcoal, colour pigments stone and metal alloys were extracted from nature and used to create works of art by the artists since generations of human civilization. Music and literature also evolved amidst nature inspired from natural frequencies and rhythm of our world.

Early examples of nature‘s impact on art and way of living can be seen in specimens of cave paintings found of pre historic times. It‘s an evidence of earliest example of art in form of simplified symbolic visual expression. It was the proto historic era when the language was not formed and art became a medium to communicate through visuals and express and give form to thoughts and imagination of early human. Drawing of animals, birds, human forms, scenes of hunting and other daily life activities are expressed through drawing and painting with natural pigments and carving with tools.[3] Nature took form of visuals in artist‘s minds through observing and mimicking situations and forms of environment. This act of observation led the way of early emergence of art which flourished with evolving civilizations. Nature always gave purpose to art and created a deep connection with human art practice. Landmark civilization that existed and left specimens of art led to the development of art history with an approach to appreciate nature. Its evidences of art from Indus valley civilization (3300 BCE- 1300 BCE) include seals depicting animals and sculptures of deities as mother goddess inspired from fertile Mother Nature.[4] They created art that was connected with the environment and understood human race a part of bigger ecosystem.

sculptures of Greek period show great understanding of metallurgy and stone carving both materials found within nature and transformed into medium of art expression.[5]

Gigantic stone carved sculptures depicting mythical creatures‘, animals and human forms ensembled with monumental architecture show refined artistry and expression.6 These examples prove the inspiration environment projects for art and aesthetic in human life.

Visual art always had the capacity to impact the viewer in an instinctual manner. Being more receptive to sight visual arts like painting, sculptures, installations, affect its surroundings more than any other medium. This capability of visual form brought art outdoor from museums and galleries with an attempt for social impact and removes the restrictions of inaccessibility. The outdoor art gave birth to environmental art movement that emerged during 1960‘s and 70‘s.[8] With pressuring environmental issues like pollution, global warming, depletion of natural resources and pressure of human population over ecosystem‘s balance, the need to conserve the environment emerged. Art made accessible through environmental and land art installations came forward as a strong medium to express on these global issues of environment. These public works with ability to interact and symbolically express views acted as a medium to spread awareness about environmental issues. Sustainable art became the new trend by using environmental friendly materials and recycled waste as medium of art. Conversationalists took initiatives and with the financial funding by govt and authorities started working to inspire for climate change initiatives and conservation of nature. Artists played a key role in creating relevant works, with mind stirring visuals through sustainable land art and helping to improve deteriorating environment. Some of the pioneers that emerged with environmental art movement are Nils- Udo, Anges Denes, Andy Goldsworthy and Jean- Max Albert. Their works acted as the inspiring landmarks for the future environmental art.[9] Nils Udos natural works with found materials from nature are stunning example of site specific environmental art.

Andy also does similar installations with found materials and documents the changes time and weather play over them. British artist Andy Goldsworthy‘s outdoor sculptures were created on site and out-of-doors, in areas where he found a range of natural materials - from snow, ice, and boulders to leaves, twigs and mud - which he then used to build art works which were often short-lived, subject to the whims of the environment they occupied.[10] His works talks about fleeting moments in the cycle of life and how change is the only constant.

Some of the contemporary environmental art have created inspiration for viewers in today‘s world. The huge dome made out of reusing garbage like bottles is a brilliant sculpture floated around Inwood Hill Park in New York. This work was executed in 2011 by Amanda Schechter and Alexander Levi. Through attracted the attention of society towards consumerism and increasing level of non biodegradable waste on the planet.[11]

Robert Smithson, known for his observation based land art. His ―Spiral jetty‖ (1970) work is a 1500 foot long spiral made of stones and natural material extended in the salt lake of Utah. It‘s a site specific work which keeps on changing due to submergence of the form in water in specific seasons. This work of art is like an iconic statement by artist against commoditization and ownership of art in market and restriction of art within galleries.

―Surrounded island‖ the environmental installation by Christo and Late Jeanne- Claude, the artists famous for their monumental land art is a visual inspiration for the viewers. In 1983 Miami, Florida, they surrounded eleven islands with pink woven fabric encircling the contour of the island and while working on installation they got removed tones of garbage from the water around the islands. This is a brilliant example of a statement given on pollution of water

and disposing of waste in water bodies.[8]

To conserve the environment and evoke sensitivity amongst the society artist are playing a vital role through environmental art. It is creating connection between us and the nature and getting humans in sync with the ecosystem. Land art and sustainable art with their eco friendly approach is working for the betterment and focussing on pressing issues of pollution and depleting natural resources. These site specific installations are addressing environmental and sustainability issues and encouraging society to take initiative for a change. These creative collaborations and interactive installations intend to bring people together to discuss and work on community issues. Art has the capability to create transition in the attitude of society towards nature it can develop a sense of responsibility to conserve and sustain the natural resources as heritage for the future generations. The understanding of sharing and the feeling of coexistence can lead to a promising future.

1. http://environment-ecology.com/what-is-nature/108-what-is-nature.html 2. https://news.mongabay.com/2011/04/what-does-nature-give-us-a-special-earth-day-article/ 3. https://www.ancient.eu/Lascaux_Cave/ 4. https://indusvalleycivilizations.weebly.com/ artifacts.html 5. https://greekerthanthegreeks.com/ 2017/09/25-of-most-famous-ancient-greek-statues.html 7. https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-egypt/the-sphinx 8. https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/ environmental-artists 9. https://mymodernmet.com/environmental-art/ 10. https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/10-earth-artists-to-know 11. https://archinect.com/news/article/ 78760079/harvest-dome-2-0-is-finally-afloat 12. https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5585288 13. https://www.theartstory.org/movement/ environmental-art/artworks/

Research Scholar, Fine Arts, IIS (Deemed to be University), Jaipur, S.F.S. Gurukul Marg, Mansarovar, Jaipur