Land and Environmental Art

by Jeffrey Kastner (Editor), Brian Wallis (Preface)

The definitive survey not only of Land Art but also of contemporary environmental art, featuring exquisite photographs of site-specific works in spectacular locations around the world. Essential reading for both art enthusiasts and anyone concerned with the environment, the book is the most comprehensive and beautifully illustrated book on the subject. The traditional landscape genre was radically transformed in the 1960s when many artists stopped merely representing the land and made their mark directly in the environment. Drawn by the vast uncultivated spaces of the desert and mountain as well as post-industrial wastelands, artists such as Michael Heizer, Nancy Holt and Robert Smithson moved the earth to create colossal primal symbols. Others punctuated the horizon with man-made signposts, such as Christo's Running Fence or Walter de Maria's Lightning Field . Journeys became works of art for Richard Long while Dennis Oppenheim and Ana Mendieta immersed their bodies in the contours of the land. This book traces early developments to the present day, as artists are exploring eco-systems and the interface between industrial, urban and rural cultures.

Survey Brian Wallis discusses the key artists, works and issues that define Land Art historically, as well as its later ramifications.

Works This book fully documents the 1960s Land Art movement and surveys examples of Environmental Art to the present day. Earthworks, environments, performances and actions by artists ranging from Ana Mendieta in the 1970s and 80s to Peter Fend in the 1990s are illustrated with breathtaking photographs, sketches and project notes.

Documents Jeffrey Kastner has compiled an invaluable archive of statements by all the featured artists alongside related texts by art historians, critics, philosophers and cultural theorists including Jean Baudrillard, Edmund Burke, Guy Debord, Michael Fried, Dave Hickey, Rosalind Krauss, Lucy R Lippard, Thomas McEvilley and Simon Schama.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Environment, Art History, Reference

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Ruth Brumby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointingly I didn't find this book very inspiring, although it is so much in my field of interest.
I skipped the gaps and statistic inserts which weren't directly referred to in the text. I found the interviews and articles quite opaque; although they involved interesting people and projects, the approach was unnecessarily edited/curated. I would have preferred it to be simpler and clearer. I didn't find the production of the book attractive, or adding to the meaning. I had to force myself to read it, rather than being gripped.

[bibliotekker Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the art and artists of the land art movement. Once again, an art book that "opens the door" to deeper exploration. After reading, I spent at least as much time surfing for more information on several of the artists.

[Ada Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a book about land art and i m happy i found this one. It has all the major works of many prominent contemporary artists. There are texts on first 43 pages about the art movement. After that, there is a good presentation with big pictures of very important artwork.

[Mukesh Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

read

[shamaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

gave this away to someone who cares more, a cute Canadian twink gave it to me tho

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like all this series, a useful encapsulation of the current state of play, both projects and (changing) philosophies.

[Lindsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book 10 stars, I would.