Date of Graduation

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Landscape Architecture

Advisor/Mentor

Katie Dunn

Committee Member

Scott Biehle

Second Committee Member

Caite Ramos

Abstract

This capstone investigates how land art can evolve within contemporary environmental, cultural, and educational contexts. The research addresses the issue that much historical land art, while innovative, often lacked ecological accountability, public accessibility, and environmental integration. Through precedent analysis, literature review, and site-based field observation, this study evaluates selected works in the United States and the United Kingdom using a framework focused on site specificity, ecological sensitivity, materiality, construction process, cultural relevance, public engagement, aesthetic value, and longevity. Photographic documentation and annotation were used to translate on-site experiences into comparative analysis. The results reveal that successful contemporary land art prioritizes ecological responsiveness, integrates deeply with site conditions, and varies widely in its ability to communicate with public audiences. The study concludes that future land art should move beyond purely aesthetic interventions toward practices that emphasize environmental awareness, site rootedness, and accessibility through documentation and interpretation.

Keywords

Land art; earth art; landscape architecture

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