Inspire By…
As mentioned previously, there have been many key works which have influenced, and guided the concept of my work throughout the course.
One piece in particular – 7000 Oaks (1982-87) by Joseph Beuys was the catalyst in inspiring me to become involved with Ecological Art.
After analysing 7000 Oaks, and exploring Beuys’s motivations in my dissertation, I feel as though I have a rough insight (In theory) into what will help to stregnthen my own work.
Brief
Beuys was one of the first well known artists to show a concern for the expanding urban environment within he’s work, and also showed an interest in society’s relationship with the natural world.
He believed that it was possible to sculpt society and bring about positive change by working as a collective, and so he took the role of a leader upon himself and aimed to involve his audience to help demonstrate he’s beliefs.
During the time of this piece, forest dieback was a relatively new global issue, and it particularly concerned the German society, as their environment was reknowned for its vast woodland.
Its debatable as to why Beuys was so successful with this project. Some might say its because he was a natural leader, and that it helped that he was in his later years as an artist, which I agree with. But I also believe that it was greatly due to he’s audience wanting to make the positive changes that He often spoke of.
With urban development leaving little space for the natural environment, and the news of forest dieback being related to acid precipitation (linked to society’s use of fossil fuels), I also believe that the audience felt a moral obligation to help improve both their own and other organisms situation.
What I have learnt from this.
Well I haven’t recieved my grade for my dissertation yet, so I may have misinterpretated why the project was so successful, but it did make me realise that I too need to involve my audience in the work which I create.
(This is a bit of an issue for me as I don’t like public speaking, however I have been developing ways for myself.)
