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“Das Privileg eine Kamera in meinen Händen zu halten, und mit diesem Instrument Geschichten zu erzählen. Das Licht zu messen, um Momente zu erfassen, Menschen zu portraitieren,…Ihre Arbeit, Ihren Alltag und Ihr Wesen zu dokumentieren.”

*Mike Wolff, Februar 2020, Diplomarbeit am MAZ Luzern/ Studiengang Fotografie

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“The privilege of holding a camera in my hands and telling stories with this instrument. Measuring the light to capture moments,…to portray people,…to document their work, their everyday life and their nature.”

*Mike Wolff, Februar 2020, Diploma MAZ Luzern/ Photography”

The Tower of Babel to Parallel Universes.

Kardo Costa during Land Art Biel 2017 © Mike Wolff

Upon arrival at the LandArt camp in Biel, it was immediately clear that a community had formed around the idea. Every day they all gathered in a communal area for breakfast, lunch and dinner, before going back to their respective areas to continue their work. People from many different countries and all walks of life had come to take part in the LandArt project and they all showed a strong passion not only for the art form but also the concepts and community behind it. Moreover, due to the wide range of characters present, the communal area became not just a simple gathering area but a place to meet new people, create new ideas and share the days experiences. It was clear a lot of effort into making the communal area as nice as they could, with a chef on hand at all times making food for the masses to hammocks and areas to relax. 

One aspect that instantly caught your eye was that everyone had customised lab coats to wear which provided a striking contrast to the natural materials and location used. The lab coats made the whole event seem very surreal however, at the same time it also lent itself to the atmosphere and the creative process that was being formed. It made the whole community seems closer while also seeming to provide the illusion of order to the chaos of creativity that was taking place.

While walking around the forest it became clear as to the individuality in both the people and their work. Their art ranged from forming a stage in which to do a performance piece to intricate sculptures made from a range of materials. This however, is just a small illustration of the enormous variety that was displayed throughout the event. The pure creativity was incredible and to do justice to each individual participant and their works would require seeing it for yourself!

Mesmar Philip in the laboratoy during Land Art Biel 2017 © Mike Wolff

Although individuality was clearly present, the theme of Mythos (myth) was also clear through each individual’s work, from le Monde Parallèle to the Tower of Babel. This theme helped to tie the whole project together through giving direction to artists and providing a visible connection between all the works being created. While admittedly this link looked vague at times due to the broad nature of the topic, it didn't take away from how they all added to the mystical area they were creating. This resulted in a unique transformation that took place in the forest, which was wonderful to watch. Each day more and more sculptures and art work appeared leading to the eventual creation of a “mythical” forest which, without the context of the project, would have looked outrageous.

On top of all the physical art there were also performance pieces enjoyed by the whole community during the evenings. Their performances somehow drew everyone closer to nature through their primal looking choreography and an eerie use of the forest at night.

The project brought together people from all over the world in a mutual love for LandArt. Through this it created an interesting and unique experiences for all participants while also bringing them closer as a community. This made it clear this project was just as much about the experience as it was the art.

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C.Charnley 

Im Walde

"Die Erde; Sie dreht.
Der Wald; Er lebt.
Der Fels; Er steht.
Der Mensch; Er strebt.
Der Boden; erbebt"

( MW 20.07.2017 )...

Visiting Kardo Costa..

In order to create an image of what LandArt is, you first need some exposure to the work and the wild concepts of a seasoned veteran in the art form. Kardo Kosta – an Argentinian national living in Biel, Switzerland – was this veteran. Kardo explained not only LandArt and its origins but also his own interpretation and influences on the subject. Visiting his studio in Biel it is clear he studies many different forms of art; however, there was always a sense that the underlying theme of nature was not far away. From intricate wood carvings used to make prints, to paintings left in the forest for several months, his studio had inspirations and objects from all over the world and through his art it painted a picture of the man that does LandArt.

While the Biel LandArt project has been running for 7 years now, Kardo’s original inspiration came from making little objects and bits of art out of things found in forests for his children when they were younger; this helped carry Kardo into the varied world of LandArt. LandArt can be anything from interpretive dance in the forest to great wooden totems, the only real rule for LandArt is use what you find (natural objects) and make art!

Kardo Costa in his kitchen (BE) 20.07.2017 , © Mike Wolff

For Kardo the key element of LandArt is the process and through this has dealt with many themes, from paths and meeting places in nature to the four seasons. Born out of his experience, he also feels that LandArt’s connection to childhood is apparent for many pursuing the art form, given the natural propensity for children to enjoy time with nature and make compositions from discarded or fallen materials they find. The broad range of what can be considered LandArt provides a very free and fluid art form that can be seen in all walks of life, from childhood as mentioned to ancient monuments such as Stonehenge.

This year’s LandArt project in Biel will bring together seventy artists from all walks of life; these artists work in the forest for the duration of project producing what they wish, while only having to adhere to this year’s theme of MYTHOS (and, of course, the ‘use what you find’ mentality!). The variety of artists is an important aspect to consider, given that LandArt happens all over the world and can’t be captured though one style, culture or medium, as exemplified by Myriam Kachour’s quote “Creation isn’t a cultural origin, but a human origin”

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C.Charnley