With empathy towards the landscape: plein-air Zgorzelec Land

Abstract

Ecologically engaged art appeared in Poland at the very beginning of the development of this trend at plein-air events and art symposia during the Polish People’s Republic era. During the first art event in Poland entirely devoted to ecologically engaged art – the plein-air event Zgorzelec Land [Ziemia Zgorzelecka] – artists and theoreticians presented their alternative voice to the official state policy, focused on the development of heavy industry. One of the main focuses of Zgorzelec Land was a reflection on sustainable development. The artists drew attention to the anthropogenic changes in nature that the Turów Combine materialised. Very important in their plein-air activities was the affective feeling of the wounded earth strengthening compassion and empathy towards it. Experiencing the crater of the combine and its surroundings with multiple senses, most artists abandoned traditional media in favour of ephemeral and conceptual activities.