2026 Research Days
Binghamton Research Days Student Presentations

Conservation Art: Art as a Voice and Action for Environmental Conservation

Author: Kathleen Chen

Field of Study: Undeclared

Program Affiliation: Source Project Research Program

Faculty Mentors: Christopher Robbins

Easel: 45

Timeslot: Midday

Abstract: Art evokes emotion, thought, and action - and like all meaningful activity, it uses resources drawn from our environment, which has been strained by centuries of unsparing use. Many artists address these environmental concerns. Candy Chang uses community participation to spotlight issues, creating large-scale murals to which the public contributes ideas. Andy Goldsworthy works with natural materials like rocks and wood to create site-specific pieces within the landscapes where they are found. Agnes Denes uses natural resources to make sociocultural statements through ecological interventions, such as growing wheat on an urban landfill. This project creates awareness and commentary on environmental conservation within the Binghamton community through building an installation that reflects the beauty and power of nature, while acknowledging its fragile connection to sustainability. The goal is to use environmental art to breathe life into spaces, even urban ones.