In an era where public spaces serve as battlegrounds for pressing social, environmental, and political issues, activist interventions can be reimagined through the lens of play. This project explored how play, imbued with spontaneity, creativity, and a sense of shared experience, can emerge as a powerful tool for fostering engagement and dialogue within public realms. Drawing on the concept of artivism, which seamlessly merges artistic practices with activism, the project considered how playful interventions can not only challenge conventional narratives but also cultivate an environment conducive to critical reflection and dialogue.

The workshop, scheduled for 2024 at the Miyanohara Coal Mine in Ōmuta, Kyushu, Japan, rehabilitated the obsolete coal mine into an area for environmental creativity. More than 30 students and community participants built a 70-meter-long Kasumi salamander (Hynobius nebulosus) out of natural and biodegradable materials on the railway tracks of an old 150-year-old disused coal mining railway. This enchanting art project, alongside a UNESCO World Heritage site, aimed to integrate the marvels of synergetic self-sustaining ecology and biocultural regeneration systems. The salamander is a Japanese mythological icon of indomitable strength and restoration, endorsing the need to underscore the balance between nature, people, and industry.

This exploration referenced earlier works on land art by Nina Luostarinen, a Finnish land artist, illustrating how the integration of artistic expression within nature can serve as a catalyst for community involvement and environmental consciousness. In particular, the project highlights the significance of nature conservation and the urgent need to draw attention to biodiversity and threatened species through transformative design. By creating immersive experiences that emphasise the fragility of ecosystems, we can inspire participants to take action and advocate for preservation.

Melanie Sarantou and Nina Luostarinen

(Photography by Nina Luostarinen, Daniel Wang, Yanyan Liu and Melanie Sarantou)