Artist exploration on Media and materials towards environmental issues

Ming, Zhu Xiao

Abstract

This paper explores the materials and media in environmental issues through the production of artworks. Due to our destructive behaviors to environment, we are facing many environmental issues, such as climate change, ocean pollution, Industrial waste pollution and many other problems. Environmental issues are not only causing a great concern of scientists, but also attracting the interest of visual artists. Artists all around the world are taking the opportunity to express their views through visual interpretation. These issues have been a prominent concern expressed in the theme of artworks. Through the exploration of media and materials, they construct a visual form representing environmental issues. Furthermore, by using descriptive analysis, all relevant artworks are examined to reveal the meaning behind their practices. Artists such as Néle Azevedo，Tomas Saraceno , Chris Jordan Marina DeBris, Jason DeCaires Taylor, Benjamin Von Wong , Shang Yang and Yao Lu will be discussed later to unveil what are those environmental issues through their artistic perspective. This article highlights what roles the artists are playing in environmental issues, and how their artworks influence our understanding about the environmental problems. The contribution of this article is to expand the understanding of environmental issues and recognize the importance of the usage of media and materials in artworks.

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