This research is a practice-based inquiry into the contribution of art to processes in which communities explore, design and proceed on sustainable ways forward. In rejecting an overly technocratic approach, this thesis follows a learning-based conception of sustainable development. Rather than transmitting predetermined solutions, social learning is about establishing a prolific framework of conditions in which people can explore for themselves what is ‘right’, sustainable and desired. Such learning shows important overlaps with art, in that it does not set out to transmit a predetermined message; instead the meaning of something is collectively made throughout the process. Where the shift from instrumental, technocratic approaches to participatory, intersubjective and open-ended approaches to sustainable development is relatively new in the social sciences, artists arguably have a longer legacy working in non-instrumental and ‘goal-searching’ ways. Subsequently, this thesis proposes a range of artful approaches that would allow educators to create spaces in which meaning is mutually created. These are the result of three research activities: the researcher interviewed artists, she participated in practices of artists, and reflected upon her own making process in which she conceived social learning as a contextual arts practice. Where this thesis takes social learning into new areas of knowledge is in the way that it conceives the meaning of sustainable development as continuously coming out of the present. Despite a professed action-oriented and experiential rendition of sustainable development, academics in the field of learning for sustainability present the concept as theoretical and abstract: it exists separated from the lived world of practice that it draws meaning from. This thesis argues that the key potential of art lies in counteracting such excessive objectification of socio-environmental issues. Through locative meaning-making, for example, meanings are derived from the here and now rather than from abstracted terms. Consequently, social learning should not strive for sustainable development as an objective, general goal in itself. Instead the learning should be conceived as an emergent process that is driven by an active vehicle, score or invitation that generates an interaction-rich environment in which meaning-making can happen. Sustainable development then threads through the fabric of whatever is happening, rather than being a focus on its own.

In this digital age many listeners of music now purchase albums from online digital music stores instead of buying a physical album from the record store. This has created a concern with many regarding the future of the album as a physical medium. This study investigates the impact of the possible death of the album on certain listening habits, the activity of record collecting, the creation of large-scale musical works, music consumerism, and its implications for the creative process on music as art and sound-recording quality. Three realisations have led to the problem statement. Firstly, the album might not have a future in the digital age. Secondly, downloadable songs might not be able to recreate an album experience. The third realisation is that the possible death of the album could create new, exciting challenges to artists as they strive to create art. This study is exploratory in nature - and no hypothesis was generated. The research necessitates qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual approaches. Furthermore, the investigation has led to the collection of mostly new data, constituting a “primary data design” through the implementation of qualitative listening experiments and a focus group, using full-time NMMU students between 18 and 25 years of age. It is herein argued that digital distribution might possibly have an effect on the perception of the album format and might possibly still be a relevant listening experience, valued by young people. Singles and albums are collectable; and good albums are considered artistic and comparable to the large-scale musical works of the past. If the concept of an album does not die out, then high fidelity formats should be able to re-invent the album experience. Listening experiences other than the album experience do exist, and they could generate new ways for artists to create musical art.

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In reviewing the events of the advances of science and technology of the past two decades one is struck by the magnificence of man's accomplishments. The first moon walk televised live in 1969, the widespread utilization of color television receivers, the educational uses of sophisticated audio-visual equipment such as overhead projectors, slide projection, sound tape recorders, close-circuit television and videotape and the almost omniscient usage of television, is ample evidence to demonstrate that the tools necessary to accomplish a task are readily accessible items in this age. We are introduced to new gadgets, innovations, and events (like the moon walk) at such a rapid pace that we have become more flexible and more receptive to change; so much so that at times many of us are even blase about nearly miraculous accomplishments.