This is an interesting topic which includes energy, sustainability, and art.

A Canvas For Sustainability: Generating Energy Through Land Art

Landscape architecture has a rich history of balancing the two conflicting worlds of the energy sector and art. These human activities could not be more different when it comes to their philosophies, design approaches, and general outcomes.

As a society, we are moving away from non-renewable energy resource cities – like those we see in developing countries — to more environmentally conscious living. This “green” consciousness grew out of the 1960s and ‘70s, when people started to become aware that it was no longer acceptable to develop at the expense of the environment.

Today’s Problem

But many modern-day scars of the industrial city run deep, with a decline in community affluence, a culture of car reliance, and the growth of social media. These industrial scars have plagued cities with an increase in mental illness, obesity, social depravity, exclusion, and a general loss of social capital, coinciding with the climate crisis.

Now more than ever, we are at a pivotal point in the Earth’s future. It is vital to recognize that it is no longer acceptable to develop art or energy generation with a sole purpose; both art and energy now need to make environmental, social, and economic sense. It is clear that polarized energy measures, such as a lone wind turbine — important as they are — no longer meet the mark of raising public awareness of renewable energy.These former exemplars fail to engage or interact with the public and often divide communities due to their appearance and level of efficiency.

Whats Is Being Done?

Initiatives such as the Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) promote the re-invention of energy generation through a creative acumen. The LAGI competition has become a breeding ground for advances in technology through creative thinking by artists and designers. It encourages interdisciplinary teams to take part in the internationally recognized competition, resulting in some of the most aesthetically pleasing and energy-efficient land art concepts to grace the Earth.

The competition plays a fundamental role in creating a tangible link between the energy sector and the art world, expanding the notion of sustainability with inclusive design concepts that encompass resources, the environment, and social gain. The bi-annual competition takes place in site-specific locations, such as Abu Dhabi (2010) and New York (2012).

Conclusion

Landscape architecture as a profession is founded on the basis of works of art and objects of utility that constantly mesh landscape architecture and public art. The types of land art mentioned above are heavily influenced by traditional land art and energy generation. It allows artists and landscape architects to display pieces of work that go far beyond an overly priced alien sculpture that is unrelated to its site specifics. Art and energy generation need to relate, include, and inspire the public to consider their own impact on natural resources and how they can play a part in changing energy generation.