This paper was submitted by ecoartspace blog interviewer Olivia Ann Carye Hallstein to the Journal of Geoscience and Eco Agricultural Studies, and was published on wmjournals.com,  January 7, 2026. 

Abstract

Many artists are increasingly acting as interlocutors between the Arts and Sciences to promote and develop real solutions to challenges including soil restoration through interdisciplinary collaboration. Individually and in collaboration, artists play an intrinsic role, unique to the 21st century, as contributors to effective en-vironmental soil management solutions beyond visual representation. The broadened 21st century definitions of art have allowed the discipline to grow past awareness work, and into projects related to soil restoration, agricultural biodiversity and permaculture solutions, and nature-based-solutions. The projects that I will survey include both artists who are trained scientists as well as artists in collaboration with scientists specifically addressing soil replenishment and innovative solutions for arability. As an artist, writer, and chef, who has held a vertical integration practice related to ingredients and materials, interviewed many prominent contemporary environmental-artists, and contributed to academic work on contaminated vacant-land restoration through Nature-Based-Solutions, it is clear to me the relevance and effectivity of STEAM frameworks related to soil. Artists’ role as innovators who base their work on a bottom-to-top process based on observation, acts in informative contrast to the scientific ‘top-to-bottom’ hypothesis approach, which like ying and yang complete each other in developing holistic solutions for soil and beyond. Faced with growing challenges from past contamination and malpractice, these frameworks will be pertinent in resolving climate and soil solutions.

*Corresponding author: Olivia Ann Carye Hallstein, Artist and Educator, Entrepreneur, Hessen, Germany.

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