Land Art (also known as Earth Art or Earthworks) is a radical art movement that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the United States and Europe, using nature not just as a subject but directly as a material and space. Artists use natural materials such as soil, rock, sand, water, and vegetation to create massive-scale works, often in desolate areas far from human settlement. This movement was born as a reaction against the commercialization of art and its confinement within gallery walls. Robert Smithson’s famous “Spiral Jetty” is one of the best examples representing the cyclical and temporal relationship of this movement with nature.
Land Art works are generally temporary and destined to disappear over time as they are exposed to the forces of nature (erosion, tides, weather). This situation questions the concept of the permanence of art and invites the viewer to reflect on the transience of life. Artists aim to create ecological awareness and emphasize human impact on nature. For the viewer, experiencing these works often requires a physical journey and a process of being alone with nature, making Land Art not just a visual but also a spiritual and physical experience.