Watch Earthworks

The Viceland series Earthworks, which premiered in 2017, explores the intersections between art and environmental activism. Each episode features an artist or group of artists who engage with issues related to the natural world, from pollution and climate change to conservation and indigenous rights.

One of the key themes of the show is the idea of using art as a means of raising awareness and inspiring action. Many of the artists featured on the series create large-scale works that are meant to be seen by the public, such as murals, sculptures, and installations. These works often incorporate recycled materials or other eco-friendly elements, and are designed to offer a powerful visual statement about the state of the planet.

One such artist is Chris Jordan, who specializes in large-scale, multimedia installations that explore issues related to consumer culture, waste, and the environment. In the first episode of Earthworks, Jordan takes viewers on a tour of his studio in Washington state, where he creates intricate works made from thousands of discarded objects, such as plastic bags, cell phones, and cigarette butts. Jordan explains how his art is a form of activism, drawing attention to the hidden costs of our consumer-driven society and inspiring others to take action to protect the planet.

Another artist featured on the show is Maya Lin, best known for her design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. Lin's recent work has focused on environmental issues, including the decline of biodiversity and the impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems. In one episode, she talks about her project "What is Missing?," which uses technology such as 3D modeling and augmented reality to raise awareness about the extinction of species and the loss of natural habitats.

Other artists featured on Earthworks include Kim Abeles, who creates sculptures and installations using smog as a medium; Subhankar Banerjee, who documents the impact of oil drilling and climate change on the Arctic; and Tavares Strachan, who creates sculptures and installations that explore the intersection of art, science, and technology.

One of the strengths of Earthworks is its focus on art as a form of activism and its emphasis on the power of creative expression to effect social and environmental change. The series also offers a diverse range of perspectives on environmental issues, exploring both the human impact on the planet and the ways in which nature has shaped our culture and identity.

However, some viewers may find the show to be overly focused on the art world, with less attention paid to the scientific or political aspects of environmental activism. Additionally, the show's structure can be somewhat disjointed, with each episode feeling more like a loosely connected series of vignettes than a cohesive narrative.

Overall, though, Earthworks is a thought-provoking and visually stunning series that offers a unique perspective on the relationship between art and the environment. Whether you're an art lover, an environmental activist, or simply curious about the intersection of these two fields, Earthworks is well worth checking out.

Earthworks is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between June 2, 2017 and on Viceland