When Environmentalism Meets Art

Climate change is a global issue which its effects are easily witnessed in our everyday lives (main examples would be how the weather has been fluctuating lately, not to mention the ice rain that recently happened in Bandung), yet sadly, this scientifically-oriented issue still seems too abstract to most.

Since this is a subject I highly take interest in, it isn't too difficult for me to digest it, but it truly bothers me how a big issue mainly caused by our modern system of living and in return affects every living being, in all corners of the world, remains only a concern for specific people. In my years of exploring environmentalism and sustainability through health, veganism, economics, the beauty industry and now, currently, the fashion industry, I realized since the effects takes on many forms, there is a way for each person to partake themselves on the solution to reduce the effects of climate change, but how far are we are from consciously understanding them.

The problem is simple: tak kenal, maka tak sayang. We have to start realizing how nature exists as a (highly crucial) part of us, instead of something existing separate from us, and most importantly—a part which when it one day perishes, we'll perish with it too. 

I got super excited when I first came across The Earth Issue; a magazine that aims to create a collaborative space for contemporary artists whom each creates different bodies of work that speaks about nature and environmentalism issues. Their works consist of paintings, illustrations, photography, sculptures and performance art. It's not enough to just read their online articles, so I purchased a copy and waited for a month for its arrival from the UK.

Printed in recycled paper, this first issue is an easy, delightful digest and an eye-pleasing flip through. It is divided into three sections, the sensuous approach which features works that draws inspiration from the beauty of the nature, the investigative approach which features works that explore issues regarding human-nature relationship, and the narrative approach which features journalistic works that shed a light on a specific environmentalist issue. 

The Earth Issue believes that unlike other approaches, especially the rigid language of science, art and culture have always played a powerful role to influence perspectives that are emotionally-charged and appeals to us on the level of intuition, which makes it an excellent medium to raise full awareness towards this subject.

This magazine will open everyone's eyes by its aesthetics that weaves forgotten stories and unheard voices of nature, reminding us why we must start cherishing its irreplaceable sources and landscapes.