LAND is a site of research, cultivation, care, and conservation established by artist’s Oscar Rene Cornejo and Jen de los Reyes. The project combines histories of artists’ engagement with land-based practices and techniques with environmental regeneration and conservation to cultivate sustainable futures.
Situated adjacent to Cayuga Lake on 4.2 acres on the urban fringe of Ithaca, New York, the project site has a pond, old growth pines, stands of black walnut trees, and open tall grass meadows, all home to wildlife. This landscape will be the grounds for outdoor art and ecology studios, Miyawaki forest (local species resilient high-growth regenerative forestry), and a zone for community driven agriculture anchored in food sovereignty.
LAND grounds contemporary art in land systems and ecologies, and blends art and outdoor education. The site will host artists, ecologists, environmental activists, and community members who use their work creatively to address the climate crisis. These activities will range from artist interventions, talks, classes, plantings, food production, and educational programming that develops empathy and care for diverse ecologies.
The site will provide concrete examples of regenerative forestry, permaculture, example gardens, while having in use examples of composting systems. LAND is an ecosystem grounded in land based knowledge, collective stewardship, and long term sustained practices. The artists’ approach centers on micro-ecosystems using site responsive agriculture informed by established technologies, global knowledge, and traditions.