Working with land as a canvas, is to work with the most elemental material. Touching the earth creates a communion that permits an artwork to emerge from the land itself, as a co-creation between man and his environment.
Ancient people recognized the power of creating art in and on their landscape. They carved shapes in the earth, and placed rocks into forms and patterns, as a deliberate attempt to create resonance between the rhythms of their lives, and the pulse of the macrocosm. By purposefully rendering archaic patterns on their earth, they saw themselves in a broader context - not a global sense, or even a universal sense; rather, in a cosmic sense. As such, they redefined the meaning and relevance of their existence.
The designs of their land art were also deliberate - reflective of a kind of ‘sacred geometry’, inspired and informed by archetypal patterns. Having an archetype at the core of an artwork, converts it into a dynamic ‘tool’ for shifting consciousness. When people work with these archetypal patterns, in a state of reverent intent, the mind can expand - consciousness can transcend the ordinary.
In fact this ‘wake up’ can occur for both creators and viewers.
Initially the beauty of the artwork captivates the aesthetic sense, however the true meaning of the archetypal message is grasped almost ‘psychically’.
Commonly, land art is of an immense scale, constructed in remote areas of natural beauty. In fact, the landscape and the art are inextricably linked. The artwork emerges from the land, seeming to be part of a cosmic story that has been waiting to be told. Like the earth, the land art ages, it weathers, it endures the seasons, merging with the ecosphere, becoming home to plants and animals.
Often the work can only be viewed from a distance or from the air. However it is from these perspectives that the alchemic magic is often seen: through the play of light and shadow, the two-dimensional work comes to life in three dimensions. Both the beauty and it’s truth are revealed.
The transcendental effect of archetypal land art can occur as much for contemporary people as it did for the ancients.
Today, archetypal land art can serve as both guide and provocateur to awaken human potential. It is an iconic statement - a call to the deepest, truest and noblest part of us - us as a person, as a people, as humanity.