Art and Nature

We often hear the phrase “art and nature” and instinctively comprehend the connection. All around us, there are wondrous things created naturally that are beautiful, unique and intriguing, like classic works of art. We often take this for granted because it seems so familiar and abundant.

But the art of nature can easily be disturbed in a way that tilts things in a negative direction, threatening the very marvel we enjoy. As our human population continues to increase and the space needed for our species to survive spreads and, at times, collides too much with nature, our mindfulness of this crucial balance is even more critical. If we aren’t continuously cognizant of the delicate balance and coexistence between humans and nature, it can become overwhelming to the point of destruction for some living creatures.

As the marketing director for Wasson, I’ve learned even more details about the fragility of this balance. Invasive plants, for example, that as passersby may seem harmless, can easily threaten other living things. Insects, animals, plants, and other living beings rely on the proper balance between human existence and our natural surroundings. Ecosystems are fascinating, but the harmony required in negotiating the space needed to sustain them is even more spectacular.

I saw a story on the news in September that resonated so deeply within me after watching it that I was compelled to plan an immediate trip to New York City to experience the topic in person: elephants. A herd of 100 elephants trekking through the Meatpacking District in my favorite city.

Real elephants? No, but also, yes! “Real” elephant sculptures, created from the very invasive species that are choking out the resources the actual elephants the sculptures were inspired by, rely upon for survival. The Great Elephant Migration, a project that protects biodiversity and enables people and wildlife to share spaces so each may thrive and survive, made this creative and massive installation possible.

Sounds crazy, right? Elephants in the middle of what was once a less-than-desirable area of Manhattan? But it isn’t as far-fetched as you would think. The Meatpacking District has seen a tremendous transformation over the past thirty years. Most recently, the creation of one of the city’s most prominent green spaces, the High Line, an abandoned, former New York Central Railroad spur that once connected transportation into an industrial area of the city.

So, back to the elephants. Coexistence. That is the real purpose and point of the sculpture art installation that traveled from India to New York City and continues to make its way across America. The elephants are hand-crafted from Lantana camara, which is recognized as one of the most invasive weeds globally. Not to be confused with the sterile, non-invasive lantana camara often seen in landscapes and flower beds throughout the United States. The invasive variety of Lantana camara is a rapidly growing and harmful shrub that currently occupies approximately 300,000 square kilometers of India’s Protected Areas. The presence of lantana displaces wildlife from their natural habitats, forcing them into urban environments and resulting in heightened conflicts between humans and wildlife. By utilizing lantana to create life-size elephant sculptures, efforts are being made to eradicate this invasive species from protected areas, allowing the wildlife to have more space to thrive naturally.

Each elephant was created by a heartfelt initiative, The Coexistence Collective, a community of 200 indigenous artisans from the Bettakurumba, Paniya, Kattunayakan and Soliga communities of India’s Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu. The artists have spent the past five years meticulously crafting these beautiful, life-size elephant sculptures as a tribute to their deep bond with these incredible creatures they live alongside. The work reflects their rich cultural heritage and a profound respect for the elephants that inspire them. Each sculpture possessed a distinct personality, and all have a rightful place within the herd.

My experience walking among these majestic, life-like sculptures was otherworldly. There was an immediate connection to the hundreds of people from around the world marveling alongside me as we moved individually from one elephant to the next and walked among them. It felt like we were traveling with the herd as one. The profound difference with this particular art installation compared to other more traditional art installations was that you could touch them, and connect with the very hands and materials that created them, which instantly evoked an even deeper empathy and understanding within me about the shared spaces we have on this earth with all living things. It also brought a more conscious awareness of how some natural things, when not regulated, can become dangerous and threatening to large areas beyond where they originated, like the lantana camara.

The power of art is real, it's palpable. It moves people and resonates with a heightened, and sometimes new awareness of things within themselves and their surroundings. The passion from the ones who create it can be felt by the ones who view and experience it. 

       

What does any of this have to do with Wasson? Everything, at least, I personally believe this to be true. Wasson creates unique, custom landscape designs and installations for residential spaces throughout east central Indiana. What sets us apart from other companies that do the same is that our designs are created by landscape design artists who are passionate about using the natural surroundings and topographies as instruments in their clients' designs. They select both natural and man-made materials that complement what nature has already created in the spaces. The landscape installations blend with and coexist harmoniously with nature's beauty that surrounds it. At Wasson, we are all artists from various backgrounds with a deep passion for plants and landscapes and honoring preservation and the way we all coincide. 

The opinions and views of this author do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Wasson Nursery or its affiliates.