Street art and visual ecocriticism
Author
Summary, in English
This paper explores the meaning and potential impact of a number of street artworks that in different ways address and problematise how human beings relate to the biotic community – that is to say a community founded on biocentrism that includes as its members “soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land” (Leopold, 1949/1968, p. 203.).
The paper argues that while, for example, information campaigns and documentaries based on research conducted within the natural sciences are useful for transmitting facts about environmental challenges, art can involve an audience more subtly on an emotional level and address attitudes and lifestyles, as well as societal, existential and ethical values. It is further argued that this is especially true if an artwork is encountered in an unexpected setting like urban public space, where surprising shifts in perspective and meaning may open up a space for reflection.
The paper is part of an ongoing research project funded by The Crafoord Foundation and The Gyllenstierna Krapperup’s Foundation.
The paper argues that while, for example, information campaigns and documentaries based on research conducted within the natural sciences are useful for transmitting facts about environmental challenges, art can involve an audience more subtly on an emotional level and address attitudes and lifestyles, as well as societal, existential and ethical values. It is further argued that this is especially true if an artwork is encountered in an unexpected setting like urban public space, where surprising shifts in perspective and meaning may open up a space for reflection.
The paper is part of an ongoing research project funded by The Crafoord Foundation and The Gyllenstierna Krapperup’s Foundation.
Department/s
Publishing year
2016-04-09
Language
English
Links
Document type
Conference paper
Topic
- Humanities
- Art History
- Social Sciences
Keywords
- street art
- graffiti
- art history
- art
- urban art
Conference name
Association of Art Historians conference 2016
Conference date
2016-04-07 - 2016-04-09
Conference place
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Status
Published
Project
- Agent of change: an ecocritical study of street art