Eco Art: The 'Quest' and the 'Question'
Embedded in the word “question” is the word “quest”. Both words indicate a desire for knowledge, but questioners generally ask others to supply this knowledge, while questers generally seek the knowledge themselves.
Until the advent of eco art, the process of defining one’s artistic mission was typically associated with quests, not questions. However, questions have become prominent among eco artists who are intent on contributing solutions to unresolved environmental problems. They ask such questions as:
– How can families living in remote areas become energy self-sufficient? (Superflex)
– How can meat protein be produced without taxing the environment (Tissue Culture & Art)
– How can citizens be made aware of their role in producing air pollution? (HeHe)
– How can urban slums be made sanitary and healthful? (Potrc)
Constitutions embody the mission of a nation or a group. Individuals can also formulate missions out of personal sets of principles and ethical mandates.
Of all the artists working today, eco artists are distinguished by their pursuits of clearly articulated missions. Their work is not created ‘on automatic,” nor on “remote,” nor on “cruise control.” The act of making eco art is willful and intentional.
Eco artists begin by asking questions.
They proceed by seeking answers.
The questions and the answers constitute equally significant aspects of their creative output.