I believe environmental art can be a powerful tool when sending the message of the urgency of climate change and other environmental issues. In a time where news is illegitimatized, and research and statistics feels like it is thrown out the window, I feel that art can be particularly effective.
The main reason for this is that environmental art is a form of storytelling. The expression “a picture is worth a thousand words” is applicable in this situation, as the art itself can share a powerful experience.
For instance, take the use of plastics as art. Plastics have become a global issue over the past couple of decades. We dump an unfathomable amount of plastic in the ocean. In fact, if we continue dumping plastic at the same rate as we currently are, there will be more plastic than fish pound for pound by 2050.
The prevalence of plastics in the ocean has a severe effect on the environment, particularly species residing in or in close proximity of the oceans. A fish or bird may unknowingly eat a piece of plastic and die as a result. Microplastics can also bioaccumulate, from microscopic levels all the way to the top of the food chain, which is often us since we are consuming seafood.
Plastics as art. Link: http://i.vimeocdn.com/video/317397122_1280x720.jpg
Thus, taking plastics from the ocean and creating art from it tells an important story of the issue. It can show how pressing of a problem it is, how we are directly involved and affected by it, and how me must take steps to improve the situation.
