One of today’s most critical problems, is facing the environmental degradation of our planet; deterioration of the environment through consumption of air, water and soil, the destruction of ecosystems and the eradication of wildlife. It is all happening at a speed that cannot be restored naturally by the environment. Nava believes that the cause is anthropogenic and due to Western society’s perception of life.
A circular view
Nava advocates a circular view of life and respect for nature which is central to many Indigenous cultures, as opposed to Western society’s linear perception of life on the planet, in the sense that the perception of time is linear; there is a beginning and an end and that life itself is viewed in a polarized manner, for example; right-wrong, good-bad, light-darkness etc.
Nava also opposes to the Western society beliefs where there is only one way to conceive concepts; one God, one truth, one history and the fact that these perceptions regard humans as the most developed beings on the planet, superior to all other.
The contradiction of society
Nava believes that one of the main reasons of today’s environmental crisis is Western society’s view of nature as a natural resource that exists to be freely used by humans.
He also believes that what we perceive as progress in today’s modern society becomes contradictory to life itself, as the short-term revenues will only benefit a relatively small group of individuals and does not take into consideration the long-term consequences for the environment and the world’s population, including all life forms of the planet.
The unity and equilibrium
Nava views life as a unity where good and bad, light and darkness are concepts that are interconnected and rely on each other to find equilibrium and believes that humans’ role on earth should be non-dominating and accepting, that man and the environment are indivisible (Catalán and Catany, 1996) and one.
The beauty of nature
Davit Nava’s work focuses on showing the beauty of nature by creating sustainable art that seeks to raise public awareness on environmental issues. By creating lifelike forms with reused and recycled material, Nava seeks to spark the interest for nature by pointing at and highlighting its beauty and at the same time transmitting the beliefs that are essential to himself as a human being;
“Nature’s beauty has a positive impact on our daily life and is essential for our inner harmony and conscience. Everything we need to survive comes from nature, from plants, animals, earth, water and air. This is the very prerequisite for life. I believe that no life form whatsoever, should die for the desire of humans to enjoy its beauty.”
Material and processes
Nava uses material and processes with low or no impact at all on the environment; post-natural-disaster wood, post-use paper and carton, used textiles and clothing, garbage as for example scrap wire and plastic bags, air hardening clay and glass beads.
Volunteering for a healthy planet
Nava has worked with NGOs and as a volunteer in projects aimed to create environmental awareness since the age of twelve. He is convinced that when we create art and collaborate by networking, we also create platforms and a forums for discussions that will enable us to shape our lifestyles so that it will have the minimum impact on the environment – or none whatsoever – in order for us to enjoy a healthy life on a healthy planet.
Artist statement by Ann-Christine Borja