What Is Eco-Art?
Eco-Art historically arose from Environmental Art, Land art, and Social/Environmental Justice work, and is deeply rooted in ecological systems and community building. Its content aims to spark dialogue, inspire caring and respect for the environment, and promote social/environmental change. Eco-Art includes art practices from landscape photography to educational installations, found object sculpture, and ecosystem restoration.
Principles:
- ○ Focus on the web of interrelationships in our environment
- ○ Create works that employ natural materials or engage with environmental forces
- ○ Reclaim , restore, and remediate damaged environments
- ○ Inform the public about ecological dynamics and the environmental problems we face
- ○ Revise ecological relationships: creatively proposing new possibilities for coexistence, sustainability, and healing
What is the Eco-Art Walk?
We are inviting citizen artists, or groups of citizen artists, to create Eco-Art installations for the City of Vancouver’s Green Streets gardens! Artworks will be installed in roundabouts, curbsides, and boulevard gardens in the Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood. We have 20 gardens available and want to fill each of them with Eco-Art! Artists and Artist-Groups will be given a $100 Honorarium. We encourage you to use recycled materials, natural materials, and found objects in your sculpture. Installations must maintain visibility for cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers, as well as be structurally sound and able to withstand the elements (including potential public interaction) for 4-6 weeks. Artists are responsible for building, maintenance, and installation.
The Community Arts Council of Vancouver will provide reference resources (including detailed Green Streets guidelines) for citizen artists; guidance and mentorship for designs; information on ethical wildcrafting and harvesting natural materials; a map of the completed installations for walking tours; and guided tours on foot and bicycle of the completed installations in June and July. By linking this to place-based community arts practice, and the eco-art approach, The Community Arts Council of Vancouver hopes to seed-bomb and fertilize new relationships, creative expressions, and civic conversations where art meets the environment.
Key Dates
- ○ March 30th, 2018 – Applications Due to eco@cacv.ca
- ○ April 14th OR 17th – Mandatory workshop on Ethical Wildcrafting for participating artists
- ○ June 3rd – Installations complete
- ○ June 17th – Eco-Art Walk Launch Celebration!
- ○ July 30 – Artists Remove Installations
How Do I Apply?
Please submit a written statement and/or a detailed drawing of your concept to eco@cacv.ca by March 30th. Please include a description of your idea; the size of your installation; the materials you intend to use; any support you think you might need, or questions you have; why this art piece is important; and whether you have a location in mind. A list of possible locations can be found at http://www.cacv.ca/programs/environmental-art/