Less is More: The Role of Minimalism in Sustainable Art and Design Practices
Sustainability has become a buzzword in modern society that’s been applied to many aspects of our lives, but less often to art. Still, it’s becoming more and more of a pressing concern - can we create artwork that is both impactful and ethical in its treatment of the environment?
The answer may come in the form of minimalism, in both artistic endeavors and design.
Why is sustainability important to art?
In a broad sense, sustainability is important to all aspects of human life, from business and commerce to home and family. Sustainability is the name we give to the idea that it is important to create and maintain processes and systems in our world that will keep it safe, healthy, and thriving for many generations to come - we are trying to sustain life on Earth in a way that won’t cause planetary ruin or the downfall of humanity as a whole. In recent years, the sustainability movement has grown in power, largely due to the increasing obviousness of our destructive effects on the world around us, particularly with global climate change and waste.
The world of art has always been a place for social movements to grow, change, and be discussed on a large, time-transcending scale, and the same is true for sustainability in art. Artists are not only encouraged to find sustainable methods for making their art, including considering where their materials are coming from and the waste produced when they create but are also making bold statements about the importance of the movement in our larger society.
How minimalism impacts sustainability in art and design
On a basic level, minimalism inspires sustainability by inspiring simplicity. A minimalist approach, whether in art or design, forces the viewer to focus on the simple elements presented to them in their most basic forms and to appreciate the negative space around them. This can make the messaging of the piece or space incredibly clear.
Take for example the work of Jaako Pernu, a Finnish sculptor who works almost exclusively in wood, largely unrefined logs and branches. His pieces are simple shapes composed of hundreds of individual pieces of wood and arranged in natural environments. In his own words, Pernu’s work is intended to show the “influence of humans on nature [and] the influence of nature on humans.”
In design, minimalism can inspire sustainability in a more literal sense; minimalist decor is, by nature, smaller and simpler in material than other styles, which limits its impact on the environment. By only including in the space what you need and truly want, you can reduce the amount of waste produced by your environment.
How to implement sustainable minimalism in your art and design
Sustainability in art and design starts with three basic principles that are largely already present in minimalism:
Have as few components as possible while still creating a complete piece or space.
Each element of that piece or space should be functional in some way, i.e., it should serve some kind of purpose.
The piece or space as a whole should be simple and easy to navigate, whether that’s physically or visually.
By incorporating these principles into your art and designs, you can lessen the amount of waste that you produce and use fewer resources in the first place while also creating beautiful things. Consider taking the advice of famed minimalist organization expert Marie Kondo: does the element spark joy in you and deserve space in your art or design? If not, it may not be worth investing in.
You might also try playing with the elements of minimalism to improve the sustainability of your piece or space. Work with the negative space - let what is not present have as much meaning as what is. Use simple color blocks and geometric designs to create distinct focal points that balance the piece. Try to have minimal but contrasting elements that highlight each other. Combining these elements can lead to innovative artistic works.
Additionally, you might choose to look for sustainable alternatives to your current artistic or design process. Research the companies and brands you use, and consider replacing any that are actively harming the environment with those who make conscious choices to sustainably source and distribute their products. If you have room in your budget to do so, supporting these companies financially can drive change on an economic level as well as an artistic one.
Conclusion
The future of our planet is becoming more and more of a focus in all aspects of our society, but especially in art. Art has, throughout history, been a force for change, highlighting and calling out the injustices, inequalities, and issues with our societies so that they can be seen, recognized, and corrected.
By incorporating sustainability into our artwork using minimalist principles, we can draw attention to the role we have in protecting our world for the people who come after us, and create poignant reminders to take action.
Read More: What is Minimalist Art? A Deep Dive
Read More: Exploring the Intersection of Minimalism and Abstract Art: Pioneers and Key Principles
Read More: The Power of Simplicity: How Minimalist Art Can Enhance Mindfulness and Well-Being