Wrapped Surfaces: Friends Or Foes?

by Sophie She

Wrapped Surfaces: Friends Or Foes?

14 Mar 2024

Emerging in the late 1960s, Land Art, also known as Earth Art, introduced a revolutionary approach to creativity by utilising the natural environment as both the medium and the backdrop for artistic expression.

In this genre, artists produce works of art directly in and with the natural environment, using natural materials such as soil, rocks, wood, and vegetation.

Not always, but often, artists choose outdoor locations, such as deserts, forests, or open fields, as their canvas.

The overall idea is to create pieces that harmonise with their natural surroundings, emphasising a connection between art and the environment. The works are often temporary and subject to the natural elements, evolving over time as they interact with weather, erosion, and other environmental forces.

Global Examples

Speaking about Land Art, one must mention the legendary Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who are known for their large-scale environmental works of art.

Source: christojeanneclaude.net

Christo Vladimirov Javacheff and Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon were Bulgarian-French and Moroccan-French artists, respectively. They worked collaboratively on various ambitious projects that involved wrapping buildings, landscapes, and elements of the natural environment in fabric or other materials.

Source: christojeanneclaude.net

One of the most remarkable examples in the Land Art genre is the iconic “Wrapped Reichstag” artwork by the artistic duo.

The piece stands as one of Christo and Jeanne-Claude's most iconic and politically charged works of art. In 1995, the duo successfully realized their vision of draping the Reichstag, a project that lasted for two weeks. Reichstag, the historic German parliament building in Berlin, was draped with over one million square feet of silver fabric and 100,000 square feet of polypropylene rope. The trick was that the monument to the tragedy of German history was effectively gone, erased from the city's landscape and, hopefully, from the world.

Source: christojeanneclaude.net

Another beautiful illustration of their work would be the "Running Fence," completed in 1976. This project involved draping a fabric curtain across 24.5 miles of California countryside. The flowing white fabric, suspended from steel cables, seemed to dance with the contours of the land, creating a temporary visual poetry that captivated onlookers. This artificial invention in the landscape not only reshaped the physical environment but also challenged the conventional boundaries of art, showcasing the duo's dedication to bringing a touch of the extraordinary to the ordinary landscapes of our world.

MENA Land Art scenery

Our region, characterised by vast deserts like the Sahara, offers an ideal canvas for Land Art. Take the Manar Abu Dhabi exhibition for example — the expansive, shifting landscapes of arid terrains provide a unique setting for artists to create installations that seamlessly integrate with the natural environment.

Instagram: @jimdenevan

A good example of the Land Art in the UAE would be the work “Self Similar" by an American artist Jim Denevan on Fahid Island in Abu Dhabi in the past Manar Abu Dhabi exhibition. "Self Similar" spans nearly 1 square kilometre, comprising 19 concentric circles with 448 pyramids and mounds in a mesmerising mandala pattern. Collaboratively created with local volunteers, the artwork showcases crazy geometry. Every evening, the installation transforms with the illumination of over 1,000 solar lanterns, symbolising the evolving relationship between humans and their environment. Denevan embraces the impact of time and weather on his creation, inviting observers to witness a soulful transformation in art, nature, and self.

AlUla’s Arts Valley

Another great example of Land Art pieces in MENA is Saudi Arabia's Royal Commission for AlUla plans for "Wadi AlFann" or the "Valley of the Arts," a sprawling desert valley spanning approximately 65 square kilometres.

Five initial permanent installations by various artists, including James Turrell, Agnes Denes, Michael Heizer, Ahmed Mater, and Manal AlDowayan, will be completed this year.

Speaking about the site-specific artworks, we can highlight works by Turrell and Denes, though not local artists, but creators aim to start a dialogue with nature, celebrating human creativity and cultural connections in the region.

James Turrell, renowned for his site-specific works using land and light, will craft an installation that will play with light, colour, and perception, creating a sequence of spaces within the canyon floor for viewers to explore and experience the nuances of light, sight, and the surrounding elements.

No pictures, though, so just look at some of his old works with captions.

"Amrta" (2011) by James Turrell. Source: www.pacegallery.com

Agnes Denes, continuing her series of monumental pyramids (see pic below), will present a new artwork in Wadi AlFann. Her installation, set within silent canyons, aims to depict the past, present, and future of humankind. Exploring themes of civilization, progress, and achievement, Denes proposes a breathtaking environment that engages viewers with the profound narrative embedded in her pyramidal structures. Here as well no pictures, so just get inspired with her previous pyramid.

"The Living Pyramid" (2015/2017) by Agnes Denes

The potential

The Middle East holds immense potential for the flourishing of Land Art, with its diverse and striking landscapes providing an ideal canvas for artistic expression. The vast deserts, historic sites, and untamed natural beauty present an opportunity for artists to engage with the environment in innovative ways.

Recent examples, such as those in Saudi Arabia's AlUla and Abu Dhabi's Manar, show the region's excitement about fostering a dynamic relationship between art and nature.

One simply cannot wait for more artists from around the world to explore and create within the region, contributing to the development of Land Art in this part of the world.

by Sophie She