Art and Ecology: Chinese Perspectives on Global Environmental Challenges

Chinese environmental art, influenced by Daoism and Confucianism, focussing on the balance between man and nature. Chinese environmental art differs from its Western counterpart in two ways: unlike the former, which emerged towards the end of the 20th century in response to ecological crises, the latter combines ancient traditions with modern strategies for tackling local and planetary environmental problems. Well-known artists such as Cai GuoQiang, Wang Jiuliang, Yao Lu and Yang Yongliang use innovative approaches such as photomontages and explosive installations to address urbanisation, pollution and the loss of biodiversity. This convergence is also referred to as the pursuit of a cross-cultural ecoaesthetic, which has its roots deep in the history of the synthesis of traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern Western art forms such as Land Art and Conceptualism. Using selected works, the article illustrates how Chinese eco-art functions as an instrument of environmental activism and has an impact on international co-operation and environmental awareness. The discussion also explores how digital media can further promote the engagement and reach of eco-art.