Artist Post

Brandon Ballengee



Brandon Ballengee has a strong emphasis on biology within his work. While other eco-art seems to be quite aesthetic-based, Ballengee's work has a clear visual influence from science and biological research. His project The Ever Changing Tide really stood out to me as it displays both the art and biologic evidence together as part of the exhibit. This is important to me and my work moving forward because I really value the logistics and scientific evidence that go into a project, especially if it is meant to be activist in any way. Doing so creates a tangibility that I think is important for any eco artwork that is meant to provoke action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCsfwFk1woY



Helen Mayer Harrison and Newton Harrison



Helen and Newton Harrison have a research-based art practice that tackles contemporary ecological issues. Many of their pieces, such as the Santa Fe Watershed exemplify the extent of their ability to research and create art within the same context. Specifically, the Santa Fe Watershed project used the gallery setting to display their various research efforts and results in proposing plans to improve the durability of the watershed. I feel like their practice relates to mine because it is very research-based, and chooses to show that research as part of the artwork rather than to disguise it or put it behind the scenes.

https://vimeo.com/49276657