Arts Design

FALL IN LOVE WITH FALL CIRCLES BY MARTIN HILL & PHILIPPA JONES

“Autumn Leaf Circle,” by Martin Hill and Philippa Jones.

by Martin Hill and Philippa Jones. Autumn Leaf Circle. Materials: Autumn leaves, flax, tree branch, lake, mountains. Lake Wanaka, New Zealand.

MARTIN HILL & PHILIPPA JONES

As landscapes begin to blush with bright colors, as fall circles into our lives, consider the beauty of autumn leaves as they fade and die. Environmental artists Martin Hill & Philippa Jones tap into the magnificence of it all, holistically, as an extension of all life, including their own.

“I work in nature because we are nature… My materials come from the earth to which they return…” explains Hill.

Since they met, in 1994, the artists have collaborated, making and photographing environmental sculptures in nature that return to nature. Fuelled by sunlight, aided by microorganisms, everything is recycled: all waste becomes food for something else. Their photographs are all that remain of the sculptures.

Hill and Jones are both passionate about environmental issues. They believe that the cyclical systems in nature can serve as models for everything from renewable energy to business to community endeavors, eliminating waste, delivering efficiencies, and a host of other benefits.

“Changing to a new model of progress that does not destroy the living world on which life relies, requires us to use a new way of thinking,” Hill says. “I believe art can help trigger this change and inspire us to look at problems as opportunities for innovation from which multiple beneficial outcomes increase wellbeing for all.”

The pair has travelled to some of the world’s wildest places together often to mountain regions where they have climbed together and made some of the most significant works. Check them out below.

These longtime partners complement each other beautifully. Hill is the photographer, while Jones brings her painterly talents to the compositions. Together, they have created incredibly beautiful environmental sculptures that celebrate life as it moves in circles.

“The use of the circle refers to nature’s cyclical system which is now being used as a model for industrial ecology,” Hill explains.

The installations are natural monuments, that reflect nature’s cyclical system. They are temporary sculptures in nature that return to nature.

They begin by traveling to remote locations, seeking extraordinary beautiful settings. They collect leaves, stones, grasses, twigs, ice, and other natural objects found nearby and arrange them in circular shapes that both fit and contrast with their surroundings.

They transform landscapes into magical works by channeling a visual circle of life. These photographs of the works are all that remain, as the ice melts, the leaves dissipate and decay, and the twigs tumble away with the wind.

“For me making this body of work is my way of connecting with nature to tell the story of the transition that is underway now towards a circular economy that emulates the way nature works,” says Hill.

As their circular sculptures give up their molecules to nourish and feed new life, these artists hope to inspire circles of sustainability in innovation and business endeavors.

“Changing to a new model of progress that does not destroy the living world on which life relies, requires us to use a new way of thinking,” says Hill. “I believe art can help trigger this change and inspire us to look at problems as opportunities for innovation from which multiple beneficial outcomes increase well being for all."

The sculpture above is constructed from a singe sheet of perfectly hewn ice. The photograph was timed to capture the perfect light and reflection as the sun moved into the right position to complete the circle.

Hill’s book, Earth to Earth: Art Inspired By Nature's Design, first documented the environmental installations.

Check out Delicate Canvas, a documentary film of the artists’ working practice.

And check out Hill & Jones’ ongoing global environmental art/science installation, entitled The Fine Line Project, begun in 1995 and nearing completion. They have created a symbolic line encircling the earth connecting 12 ephemeral sculptures made on 12 high points of the earth.

It starts and will finish on the summit of Mt. Ngauruhoe in New Zealand and symbolises the interconnected and interdependent network of natural systems that connect us all in the web of life.

“Can we create the international will to stabilise climate and population, eradicate poverty and restore ecosystems before it is too late?” asks Hill. “This is the fine line we tread today.”

This self-funded project will culminate in a touring exhibition, a documentary, a book, and a suite of digital multi-media educational materials, produced in collaboration with scientists and writers.

To see more of these beautiful works, visit the artists’ online gallery, Flickr, and blog.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.

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“Ice Circle,” an environmental art installation by Martin Hill and Philippa Jones, reflects sunlight as it sits in a lake in front of sunlit snow capped mountains in early autumn.

IMAGE CREDITS:

Image: by Martin Hill and Philippa Jones. “Autumn Leaf Circle.” Materials: Autumn leaves, flax, tree branch, lake, mountains. Lake Wanaka, New Zealand.
Image: by Martin Hill and Philippa Jones. “Autumn Leaf Circle.” Materials: Poplar leaves, sticks, lake. Clutha River, Wanaka, New Zealand.
Image: by Martin Hill and Philippa Jones. “Diamond Lake Leaf Circle.” Materials: Hoheria leaves, (lacebark). Diamond Lake. Wanaka, New Zealand.
Image: by Martin Hill and Philippa Jones. “Gorge Circle.” Materials: Fallen leaves, rock, water. Motatapu Gorge. Wanaka, New Zealand.
Image: by Martin Hill and Philippa Jones. “Leaf Cycle.” Materials: Pohutukawa leaves, sand, water. Karekare Beach. Waitakeres, New Zealand.
Image: by Martin Hill and Philippa Jones. “River Stone & Petals.” Materials: Poppy petals, stone, water. Hawea River. Wanaka, New Zealand.
Image: by Martin Hill and Philippa Jones. “Life Cycles Watershed.” Materials: Native red beech leaves, rock, stream. East Matukituki Valley. Mt. Aspiring National Park, New Zealand.
Image: by Martin Hill and Philippa Jones. “Encircled Stone.” Materials: Pohutukawa leaves, stone, sand. White’s Beach. Waitakere Ranges, New Zealand.
Image: by Martin Hill and Philippa Jones. “Cascade Saddle Ice Circle.” Materials: Frozen snow, lake, mountains. Mt. Aspiring National Park, New Zealand.
Image: by Martin Hill and Philippa Jones. “Synergy.” Materials: Raupo stems (bulrush), linen threads, lake, mountains. Lake Wanaka, New Zealand.
Photo: Courtesy of Martin Hill. “Fine Line” Project.
Image: Courtesy of Martin Hill. Making the New Zealand “Fine Line” Project sculpture.
Image: by Martin Hill and Philippa Jones. “Diamond Lake Ice Circle.” Materials: Mid-winter ice cut from lake. Diamond Lake, Wanaka, New Zealand.
Image: by Martin Hill and Philippa Jones. “Tussock Grass Circle.” Materials: Tussock stems, lake, mountains. Cascade Saddle, Mt. Aspiring National Park, New Zealand.
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Image: by Martin Hill and Philippa Jones. “Ice Circle.”