Mel Chin
Revival Field (1990-Present)
Similiar to Taylor, another artist, Mel Chin, is combining both Art and Science to tackle the rejuvenation of ecosystems, where he is working to remove toxins from the soil of landfill sites. He has also collaboarted with scientists, who’s field of research is relavent to the topic, in which they use ‘hyperaccumulative plants’ (absorbent) to extract the toxins to be disposed of properly, or mined for valuable minerals within. Generally speaking, Chins work often shows the negative affects that humanity is having on other organisms, and within ‘Revival Field’ is using the natural properties of specific organisms to help remidate the issue.
“Revival Field is a conceptual artwork with an intent to sculpt a site’s ecology. In a traditional sculpture, the artist with an idea approaches a material and fashions it into a concrete reality. Here the idea is the radical transformation of a hazardous site incapable of supporting life. The material will be toxic earth and the tools will be a scientific process utilizing heavy metal leaching plants called “hyperaccumulators.” The aesthetic reality will be recreated Nature. The sculpting process starts unseen in the ground below in order to reveal the eventual work, a living, revitalized landscape above.” –
Finkelpearl, T. (2001) ‘Interview: Mel Chin on Revival Field’in Dialogues in Public Art. London: The MIT Press, pp. 385-406.
