Groundswell: Women of Land Art

The book Groundswell: Women of Land Art explores the pioneering work of 12 women sculptors who moved beyond the white cube gallery space to work directly in the land in the 1960s. With ties to Minimal and Conceptual art, these artists placed less emphasis on the discrete object and focused on the experience of the artwork, foregrounding natural materials and the site itself. The book includes five scholarly essays, a detailed chronology, an exhibition checklist, and illustrated biographies of exhibition artists. It is a resource for readers interested in understanding the historical Land art movement and our own relationship to the earth.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 07 November 2023
Publisher: Distributed Art Publishers

A groundbreaking exploration of Land art, propelled by the pioneering endeavors of 12 exceptional female sculptors, emerges in this captivating reevaluation. These American artists, hailing from the vibrant decade of the 1960s, ventured beyond the confines of the traditional white cube gallery space, embracing the vastness of the natural landscape as their canvas. Drawing inspiration from Minimal and Conceptual art movements, they shifted their focus from the singular object to the immersive experience of their artwork. By foregrounding natural materials and the unique characteristics of each site, they crafted monumental works that transcended the boundaries of the urban art world.

Historically, narratives of Land art have been predominantly male-dominated, obscuring the significant contributions of women artists in this field. However, Groundswell: Women of Land Art disrupts this narrative, illuminating the vast body of earthworks created by these talented artists. While their careers paralleled those of their male counterparts, they have often been overlooked and underrepresented in museum presentations. This book serves as a vital resource, offering five scholarly essays, a comprehensive chronology, an exhibition checklist, and richly illustrated biographies of the exhibition artists.

Groundswell: Women of Land Art delves deep into the historical roots of Land art, tracing its evolution from the early experiments of artists like Walter de Maria and Robert Smithson to the more contemporary manifestations of artists like Nancy Holt and Agnes Denes. It explores the themes of environmentalism, feminism, and the human-landscape relationship, challenging traditional notions of art and nature. Through their visionary works, these women artists have left an indelible mark on the landscape, inspiring generations of artists and environmentalists alike.

The artists featured in Groundswell are a testament to the diversity and talent of the Land art movement. Lita Albuquerque, known for her large-scale earthworks that incorporate natural elements like rocks and water, Alice Aycock, whose towering sculptures evoke the power of the wind, Beverly Buchanan, who explores the relationship between humans and the land through her site-specific installations, Agnes Denes, whose pioneering work in environmentalism inspired generations of artists, Maren Hassinger, whose intricate sculptures blend with the natural landscape, Nancy Holt, whose minimalist installations explore the boundaries between art and nature, Patricia Johanson, whose sculptures incorporate found objects and reflect the surrounding environment, Ana Mendieta, whose body-based performances explore the relationship between the human body and the land, Mary Miss, whose sculptures incorporate found objects and reflect the surrounding environment, Jody Pinto, whose sculptures explore the intersection of technology and nature, Michelle Stuart, whose site-specific installations explore the relationship between humans and the land, and Meg Webster, whose sculptures incorporate found objects and reflect the surrounding environment.

In conclusion, Groundswell: Women of Land Art is a groundbreaking exploration of Land art, shedding new light on the contributions of women artists who have been overlooked in the historical narrative. Through their visionary works and innovative approaches, these artists have pushed the boundaries of art and nature, inspiring generations to come. This book serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the historical Land art movement and our profound connection to the earth.

Weight: 1318g
Dimension: 245 x 288 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636811109