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SCULPTURE AS ENVIRONMENT sculptor Louise Nevelson as the pioneer of environmental sculpture in this sense. Busch (p. 27) also places the sculptures of Jane Frank , as well as some works by Tony Smith and David Smith , in this category. Some environmental sculpture so encompasses the observer that it verges on architecture. For example, the Wikipedia article on Saunders Schultz refers to his "pioneering work in architectural/environmental sculpture." Britannica names George Segal , Duane Hanson , Edward Kienholz , Robert Smithson , and Christo as practitioners of the genre. The inclusion of Segal and Hanson clearly contradicts Busch's suggestion that environmental sculpture is never figural. Indeed, many figurative works of George Segal, for example, do qualify as environmental, in that - instead of being displayed on a pedastal as presentations to be gazed upon - they occupy and perturb the setting in which they are placed. A well known instance of this is the pair of Segal figures that sit on and stand next to one of the public benches in New York City 's Sheridan Square; anyone can sit right down amongst them and be included in their mysterious, silent encounter. SCULPTURE CREATED FOR AN ENVIRONMENT A second sense of the term "environmental sculpture", with a somewhat different emphasis, is sculpture ''created for'' a particular set of surroundings. Thus, contemporary sculptor Beth Galston writes: "An environmental sculptor plans a piece from the very beginning in relationship to its surroundings. The site is a catalyst, becoming part of the creative process." {Link without Title} This is quite different from a Nevelson sculpture, which can usually be moved from place to place, like a conventional sculpture, without losing its meaning and effectiveness. Nevertheless, even by Galston's definition, an environmental sculpture is not merely , Minimalist sculptures of Richard Serra also qualify as environmental sculpture, in both senses described here. Much of what is called " Land Art " or " Earth Art " could also be termed environmental sculpture under this definition. Andrew Rogers and Alan Sonfist (which see) are among notable current practitioners of Land Art . ENVIRONMENT SCULPTURE VIS-รก-VIS SITE-SPECIFIC ART AND ENVIRONMENTAL ART Further clouding the definitional waters, the term " Site-specific Art " is sometimes used interchangeably with " Environmental Art ". The Wikipedia article on Louise Nevelson , for instance, calls her "the pioneer American environmental artist", without ever using the term "environmental sculpture". In contrast, Louise Nevelson's ''New York Times'' obituary begins: "Louise Nevelson, a pioneer creator of environmental sculpture ...." Yet the Britannica Online article on 'environmental sculpture' does not so much as mention Louise Nevelson. Clearly the terms "environment sculpture," "site-specific art," and "environmental art" have not yet completely stabilized in their meanings, and a degree of uncertainty must be accepted, at least for now. SEE ALSO
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