Land Art in Saint Paul and Minneapolis

Minus Mel Chin’s Revival Field and Maya Lin’s The Character of a Hill, Under Glass there is not a lot of Land art in the Twin Cities area. Land art is distinguishable from public art and sculpture in that the process of creation is interested in the nature of places and contemplation of context within the landscape. Although environmentalism is not always the focus, ecological issues are usually tied-in.


Introduction to Land Art

When encountering Land art, meaning is found behind the process of creation, documentation, chosen media, and site location. As you will soon see, there are many similarities and differences between Land art, public art, and sculpture gardens. It is important to remember that all art, regardless of structure, has an agenda and can be interpreted in a variety of ways depending on its location.

While difficult at first to distinguish, Land art is valuable for viewers and artists alike as it challenges conceptions of art with its consideration for the creation of works outside of studios, and placement of works outside of gallery and museum spaces. Furthermore, its method of creation is pre-meditated by the artists and the process of creation and entropy are documented by cameras and film.

I would like people in my geographical area to become aware of local Land art pieces and their striking difference from sculpture and public art pieces because I believe Land art is powerful in the way that it comments on the industrial and its competition with nature. I think in recognizing and discussing Land art, we are given the opportunity to fuel social and environmental change through altered perceptions of everyday life and values.

Land Art vs. Public Art

Public art and Land art are different in the manner of monetary acquisition. Public Art solicits support and receives government funding while Land Art (for the most part) is financed personally by the artist.

Public art is like Land art in that it looks for communal involvement.

Both Public art and Land art work to break down the concept of formal museum and gallery prominence in the art world. While Land art is usually found in natural settings, Public art is typically found in urban settings, usually in the forecourts of businesse
s or plazas downtown (Seine 114).




Examples of Public art in Saint Paul include:

*The annual ice carving competition of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival in Rice Park across from the Landmark Center. 




 Town, For the Love of Lucy, Linus Blankets the City) which are sponsered by businesses in and around Saint Paul, they appear on many city sidewalks (much like the Cow Parade in New York during 1999, Chicago during 2000, and Madison during 2006).
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Relevant Texts/Bibilography

  • Beardsley, John. Earthworks and Beyond. 3rd Edition. Abbeville Press Publishers: New York. 1998.
  • Berry, Thomas, The Dream of the Earth
  • Hinman, Lawrence, Ethics, a Pluralistic Approah to Moral Theory
  • Seine, Harriet. "Urban Sculpture: Cultural Tolkens or Ornaments to Life?" Art News v.78, Sept. 1979, p.108-114.
  • Tufnell, Ben. Land Art. Tate Publishing: London. 2006.

Have you heard of Earthworks or Land Art before?

Has this Blog helped you identify what Land Art is?

Have I effectively explained Land Art's importance to Minnesotans?

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200 RYS Level 3 Reiki B.A. English Literature and Art History

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