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Saype‘s “La Grande Vague” is an impressive work of art that spans over 1,500 square meters and is located in El Ejido, a town in the province of Almería, Spain. The land art piece is painted on grass using eco-responsible paint, making it environmentally friendly.
Saype had been nurturing the idea of creating this piece for several years, and with the support of the Cultural Foundation, he finally got the opportunity to bring it to life.
“La Grande Vague”, El Ejido, Spain. Image Copyright Saype
The title of the piece, “La Grande Vague,” is inspired by the famous Japanese print, “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” which is known for its powerful depiction of nature’s force.
“La Grande Vague”, El Ejido, Spain. Image Copyright Saype
However, “La Grande Vague” is more than just a tribute to nature’s power; it is also a thought-provoking piece that raises important questions about our societal norms and consumer choices.
“La Grande Vague”, El Ejido, Spain. Image Copyright Saype
The province of Almeria in Spain, where the piece was painted, is significant as it is set in the “Vegetable Garden of Europe,” where 40,000 hectares of agricultural greenhouses produce a large portion of European fruits and vegetables.
“La Grande Vague”, El Ejido, Spain. Image Copyright Saype
The “Vegetable Garden of Europe” is an intensive agriculture model that uses highly technical means, including plastic greenhouses, to achieve maximum economic yield. The first greenhouse was built in 1963, and since then, the technique has been extended to other regions. The plastic intensifies heat and maintains humidity, allowing for earlier harvests and doubling or tripling the number of harvests.
“La Grande Vague”, El Ejido, Spain. Image Copyright Saype
This intense model has made Almeria one of the most productive agricultural regions in Europe. However, concerns about water usage, environmental sustainability, and worker treatment have also been raised.
“La Grande Vague”, El Ejido, Spain. Image Copyright Saype
The artist Saype has commented on the artwork’s intention, stating that it is not meant to directly denounce the intensive exploitation of the location where the piece is set.
“My intention is not to directly denounce the intensive exploitation of this surreal place where 40,000 hectares of agricultural greenhouses produce a large portion of our European fruits and vegetables. Called the “Vegetable Garden of Europe,” this piece rather has an interrogative intention about our societal models, as it is indeed us, consumers, that it should question.”
Saype (translated)
“La Grande Vague” location is 36°43’41.20″N 2°41’54.80″E.
“La Grande Vague”, El Ejido, Spain. Image Copyright Saype
Through this piece, Saype raises important questions about our societal norms and challenges us to consider the impact of our choices as consumers.
Saype
Saype (say peace), born Guillaume Legros, is a French self-taught artist residing in Bulle, Switzerland and a pioneer of large-scale biodegradable paintings that convey powerful social messages. Although his massive biodegradable artworks last only a few days, Saype’s contribution to the land art movement has been significant. Starting his career as a young graffiti artist, Saype has come a long way in his artistic journey and is also creating the world’s longest human chain via his art through his project “Beyond Walls”. Saype uses 100% biodegradable paint composed of water, chalk, coal, and casein to create his ephemeral land artwork. Since the paint is environmentally friendly, his artwork will soon disappear without leaving any negative impact on the environment. Read more about Saype’s incredible land art here.
All Images Copyright Saype
