The history of connecting art with nature, and consequently shaping our conceptions of what nature is and should be, stretches back through the ages. From harvest festivals to flower fairs, humans have used events and performances to forge a connection with, and deepen our understanding of, the natural world. These practices have helped generate a sense of place and cultural understanding of plants and animals. Gardens have been created as theatrical utopias in themselves, and communities have been built around them, fostering a shared responsibility to maintain these spaces. The connections between performance, community, and nature are diverse and fascinating.
Performances in nature, for nature or by nature
By using nature as a venue for performances, concerts, and parties, we create gathering points, memories, and new conceptions of nature and community. Events and performances held in natural settings spark interest and cultivate a sense of community. But we can also consider performances for nature — events that celebrate and honor plants, specific sites, or harvests. Finally, we can design performances by nature, such as considering how plants bloom at different times, creating space around a tree to make it stand out in the landscape, or designing for beautiful decay.
Performances and events are natural ways in which humans culturally engage with nature. Building communities around these places is essential for their survival and our understanding of their cultural significance. Through storytelling, shared practices, activities, performances, and events — the artists in PLACE have investigated how humans assign value to nature, while also emphasizing the role of cultural activities in promoting sustainable human-nature relationships.