In this study evidence is presented that suggests transdisciplinary art practices and participatory biology programs may successfully increase public understanding of ecological phenomenon. As today’s environmental issues are often complex and large-scale, finding effective strategies that encourage public awareness and stewardship are paramount for long-term conservation of species and ecosystems. Although artists and biologists tend to stay confined to their professional boundaries, and their discourses largely remain inaccessible to larger audiences, arguments here are presented for a combined approach, which may disseminate knowledge about ecology to non-specialists through novel art-science participatory research and exhibitions. Moreover, historically several scientists utilized varied creative art forms to disseminate scientific insights to a larger populace of non-specialists, such strategies as engaging writings and visually provocative artworks may still be effective to captivate contemporary audiences. In addition such historic hybrid science-art practitioners may have laid a conceptual terrain for some of today’s transdisciplinary art and citizen science practices. Furthermore, seminal ecological artworks from the 20th Century by Joseph Beuys, Patricia Johanson and Hans Haacke utilized novel strategies to reach audiences with a message of wetland conservation, blurring boundaries between art, ecology and activism. More recently artists like Cornelia Hesse-Honegger, Helen and Newton Harrison and others have integrated biological research into their art practices, which resulted in new scientific discoveries. Through my own transdisciplinary artwork about frogs, data suggests that the visual strategies I employ were effective to increase non-specialist understanding of the ecological phenomenon of amphibian declines and deformations. In addition through my participatory biology programs, Public Bio-Art Laboratories and Eco-Actions, evidence suggests that non-specialists achieved an increased awareness of the challenges amphibians and ecosystems currently face. Likewise, that through such participatory citizen science research new scientific insights about the proximate causes for deformities in anuran amphibians at select localities in middle England and Quebec were achieved. Here laboratory and field evidence, generated with the aid of public volunteers, found that non-lethal predatory injury to tadpoles from odonate nymphs and some fishes resulted in permanent limb deformities in post-metamorphic anurans. From an environmental-education and larger conservation standpoint, these findings are very relevant as they offer novel strategies for experientially engaging non-specialist audiences while generating important insights into biological communities and wetland ecosystems.

This dissertation presents a new approach to addressing environmental degradation based on transdisciplinary ecological art. Transdisciplinarity is defined here as merging art and science to discover new insights. Ecological art is defined as an aesthetic practice that promotes environmental resilience. This writing will describe why those approaches are essential to restoring resilient bioregionalism. It introduces the author’s own heuristic perspectives and methodologies and demonstrates how they may be integrated with technology and science. The problems of accelerated loss of coastal (littoral) zone biodiversity, degraded water quality, and habitat fragmentation need critical attention. The author’s research goal was to present a replicable set of guidelines for identifying small points of restoration for wetland littoral zones (the coastal region between terrestrial and marine life) based on a case study called Ghost Nets, scaled to a second case study, Fish Story. Her novel approach included establishing relevant parallels from quantum physics and acupuncture to energetic systems. Additional specific analogies were explored from visual arts, theatre, music, dance, and performance art, to discover a holistic and integrated point of view. Parallels and analogies were drawn by interrogating the two case studies. An important aim of the study was to examine how certain restoration practices could be scaled up to the bioregional level and integrated with a special theory, Trigger Point Theory, to reinforce healthy ecosystems. This included an analysis of how restored upland ecotones and a different relationship to other species could contribute to restoration in the littoral zone. The analysis critiqued how anthropocentric considerations often fail to protect vulnerable water systems. The role of environmental justice for vulnerable human populations and ethical concerns for other animal species was included in that analysis. The author also claims that when artists work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping, that may propel a new transdiscourse and eventually make heuristic information scientifically useful. Insight from the Ghost Nets case study informed data collections and GIS mapping for the Southern Gulf of Maine. Those insights and the mapping were used to analyze relationships between finfish abundance, eelgrass, and invasive, predatory green crabs. Conclusions were drawn that are relevant to coastal and fisheries management practices. The author used performative approaches to contribute expert witnessing to her conclusions. Questionnaires were used to determine how much community awareness was accomplished with the case studies, and assess effects on future behavior. By combining art and science methodologies, the author revealed insights that could help small restored sites act as trigger points towards restoration of healthy bioregional systems more efficiently than would be possible through restoration science alone. In scaling up (applying small models to larger systems) and applying these practices for landscape ecology, the author assembled a set of recommendations for other researchers to implement these ideas in the future. Those recommendations included the formal engagement of ecological artists as equal partners on environmental restoration teams.

No description available.

Entre la fin du XXe siècle et le début du XXIe siècle, on assiste à une émergence et à une multiplication des conférences et sommets internationaux, nationaux et locaux sur l’environnement. Cette prise de conscience face à l’urgence de trouver des moyens et des solutions afin de préserver, restaurer ou mettre en valeur la Terre et ses écosystèmes, se reflète dans le milieu artistique. Cette étude a pour but de montrer que l’inclusion du thème écologiste dans le champ artistique opère des changements sur la configuration de l’art, c’est-à-dire sur les lieux (l’emplacement des oeuvres), sur les acteurs (les artistes et le public), sur les usages et la finalité des oeuvres. Le second objectif est d’indiquer qu’il existe une concordance entre la théorie pragmatiste et l’art écologique. L’observation de cette proximité permet de mettre à profit la théorie deweyenne afin de mieux comprendre le fonctionnement des projets artistiques écologistes. Le corpus est établi à partir d’oeuvres de l’artiste québécoise Francine Larivée, de l’artiste torontois Noel Harding et de l’artiste américaine Agnes Denes. / Between the 20th and the 21st century we assist to a multiplication of colloquia and international, national, and local summits about the environment. This growing awareness of preserving, restoring and highlighting the importance of Earth and its ecosystems is reflected in the artistic world. The present study aims to show that the inclusion of the ecology in the Arts changes their configuration regarding the space (the location of the artistic work), the actors (the artist and the public), its function and its goals. The second objective is to illustrate the concordance between the pragmatist theory and the ecological art. The analysis of the proximity between the two, allows us to make use of John Dewey’s theory in order to understand better the functioning of the artistic ecologist objectives. The corpus of the art works contains three main artists: Francine Larivée from Montreal, Noel Harding from Toronto, and the American artist Agnes Denes.

I have organized this paper into four chapters: "The Environmental Situation," "Space and Place," "Art and the Natural Environment," and "Creating Work of My Own." Chapter 1 explains human beings' intrinsic interconnection to the natural environment, outlining why humans should be concerned about the current degraded state of the natural world. Chapter 2 discusses the concepts of space and place. It analyzes how human beings interact with and experience spaces, developing their sense of place - within physical, theoretical, and spiritual realms. It finally illustrates the importance that spaces and places have in humans' lives. Chapter 3 describes the Land Art phenomenon: its development, the different forms within it, and artists producing Land Artworks. The forms and artists included are those that have been inspirational for the development of my own work. It also emphasizes Land Art as a fundamental form for improving humans' relationship with the natural environment and the new realm of eco-feminism that resonates with Land Art ideals. Chapter 4 recounts the development of my art throughout my college career. It describes my work as site-specific, sculptural installations that use natural materials. It also states why this format is the most effective for my senior art thesis project. Focusing mainly on "Ecological Reawakening: organic DNA," it explains the mentality in designing, creating, installing, and completing the work. Overall, Chapter 4 emphasizes the work's two main goals: to demonstrate a new avenue for comprehending humankind's place within earth's environmental spaces, and to advocate for an environmental paradigm shift during the twenty-first century. Finally, Chapter 5 describes the transformation of "Ecological Reawakening: organic DNA" as it developed over time during the spring honors senior thesis course. It details my mentalities in adding living plant matter to the structure, incorporating a stool into the piece, and creating "Evolution," the digital photography composition that documents "Ecological Reawakening" and was included in the Scripps Senior Art Exhibition in the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery from May 1 – May 17, 2009.

Dans le contexte économique, social, politique et mass-médiatique des années 1960, les reportages photographiques et télévisuels ont pris le relais d'une représentation de la nature et du paysage jusque-là réservée aux artistes. Ces images rompent avec la représentation idyllique d'une nature naturelle et pittoresque pour révéler la nature telle qu'elle est, vivante et fragile, dont l'homme fait partie, mais dont il menace l’intégrité. Paysages blanchis autour des cimenteries, forêts décimées, nuages de dioxine s'échappant du réacteur d'une usine chimique, déversement de pétrole en mer : les images des premières catastrophes écologiques frappent l'imagination. La représentation du paysage devient problématique, les concepts liés à l'idée de nature - tels que l'échelle planétaire, le long temps, le climat, la pollution - y introduisent une part d'immatérialité. Des stratégies plastiques et visuelles se mettent en place à un niveau international : les artistes renouvellent leur approche de la nature. Ils l’envisagent dans ses processus physiques et biologiques, comme site à réhabiliter et comme écosystème. Outre la production de tableaux, environnements, objets, performances et photographies, certains rédigent des communiqués, déclarations, manifestes, lettres ouvertes, s’engagent dans des associations, des partis politiques ou mènent des actions concrètes dans la sphère publique, parfois avec quelques résultats. La présentation du corpus de formulations plastiques et/ou militantes forme l’occasion de questionner l’impact de ces travaux : sont-ils l’occasion d’un renouvellement de la fonction sociale de l’artiste ou relèvent-ils du domaine de l’utopie? Comment leurs auteurs les envisagent-ils ? Leurs effets sont-ils mesurables ? Peuvent-ils faire l’objet d’études d’impact ? Selon quelle méthodologie et avec quelles précautions ? / In the economic, social and political environments of the 1960s, themass media evolution led photography and television reports to take over the representation of nature and landscape. Until then, the illustration of nature and landscape had been the preserve of artists. The new trend was to move away from the idyllic representation of the natural world in order to reveal nature as it really is, alive and fragile, a nature in which man plays an integral role while also posing a threat to its integrity.Landscapes started to feature ecological disasters such as: decimated forests, clouds of dioxin billowing from chemical reactors, oil spills in the sea or also cement work, – in essence, familiar images that strike the imagination. Such representation of landscape was in itself a challenge. Concepts connected to the idea of nature, such as a global climate, pollution, scale effect, and long term impact, introduced an element of immateriality.Various strategies to create visual and plastic representations were initiated across the world; a number of artists renewed their approach to nature. They envisaged it in its physical and biological processes, and addressed it as a series of ecosystems and locations that need to be rehabilitated. Concrete actions in the public sphere have sometimes produced significant results: photos, objects, performances, environments, as well as draft communiqués, declarations, manifestos, open letters and the participation in associations or political parties.The presentation of the body of plastic formulation and/or militant acts raises the issue of their impact. Do they represent the renewal of the social role of the artist, or are they just an utopian vision? How do their authors envisage them? Are their effects measurable? Can it be the subject of environmental studies? What methodology to use? And what are its limitations ?

No description available.

[ES] La presente tesis doctoral sondea las intersecciones entre prácticas de creación colaborativa y arte relacionado con la ecología en los últimos veinticinco años. La investigación se desarrolla en el contexto de la actual situación de crisis ecológica y social y explora el papel de las prácticas artísticas estudiadas en la reconsideración del paradigma civilizatorio neoliberal, así como de los conceptos modernos de autonomía del arte y autoría. A partir de una metodología interdisciplinar, se propone una tentativa de acotación para definir un enfoque ecosocial en la producción artística contemporánea identificando además algunos aspectos caracterizadores del mismo. Se presentan cuatro estudios de caso para evaluar de qué manera las prácticas artísticas de enfoque ecosocial pueden contribuir a producir otros saberes, modos de sociabilidad, prácticas y sensibilidades encaminadas a la construcción de modelos culturales social y ambientalmente comprometidos. / [CA] La present tesi doctoral sondeja les interseccions entre pràctiques de creació col·laborativa i art relacionat amb l'ecologia en els últims vint-i-cinc anys. La investigació es desenvolupa en el context de l'actual situació de crisi ecològica i social i explora el paper de les pràctiques artístiques estudiades en la reconsideració del paradigma civilitzatori neoliberal, així com dels conceptes moderns d'autonomia de l'art i autoria. A partir d'una metodologia interdisciplinària, es proposa una temptativa d'acotació per a definir un enfocament ecosocial en la producció artística contemporània identificant a més alguns aspectes caracteritzadors d'aquest. Es presenten quatre estudis de cas per a avaluar de quina manera les pràctiques artístiques d'enfocament ecosocial poden contribuir a produir altres sabers, formes de sociabilitat, pràctiques i sensibilitats encaminades a la construcció de models culturals social i ambientalment compromesos. / [EN] This thesis explores the intersections between collaborative practices and ecology-related art in the last twenty-five years. The research develops in the context of the current ecological and social crisis and examines the role of the described artistic practices in the reconsideration of the neoliberal paradigm, as well as of the modern concepts of art autonomy and authorship. Adopting an interdisciplinary methodology, we attempt to define an ecosocial approach in contemporary art production and to identify some of its key characteristics. Four case studies are presented to evaluate how art practices based on an ecosocial approach can contribute to generate knowledge, modes of sociability and sensibilities for the construction of socially and environmentally engaged cultural models. / Estoy muy agradecida por haber podido disfrutar de un contrato predoctoral en el contexto del programa de ayudas MINECO BES-2016 que me ha permitido dedicarme a tiempo completo a esta investigación. / Sgaramella, C. (2021). Hacia un enfoque ecosocial. Prácticas colaborativas, ecología y compromiso político en el arte actual (1995-2020) [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/163790

I have organized this paper into four chapters: "The Environmental Situation," "Space and Place," "Art and the Natural Environment," and "Creating Work of My Own." Chapter 1 explains human beings' intrinsic interconnection to the natural environment, outlining why humans should be concerned about the current degraded state of the natural world. Chapter 2 discusses the concepts of space and place. It analyzes how human beings interact with and experience spaces, developing their sense of place - within physical, theoretical, and spiritual realms. It finally illustrates the importance that spaces and places have in humans' lives. Chapter 3 describes the Land Art phenomenon: its development, the different forms within it, and artists producing Land Artworks. The forms and artists included are those that have been inspirational for the development of my own work. It also emphasizes Land Art as a fundamental form for improving humans' relationship with the natural environment and the new realm of eco-feminism that resonates with Land Art ideals. Chapter 4 recounts the development of my art throughout my college career. It describes my work as site-specific, sculptural installations that use natural materials. It also states why this format is the most effective for my senior art thesis project. Focusing mainly on "Ecological Reawakening: organic DNA," it explains the mentality in designing, creating, installing, and completing the work. Overall, Chapter 4 emphasizes the work's two main goals: to demonstrate a new avenue for comprehending humankind's place within earth's environmental spaces, and to advocate for an environmental paradigm shift during the twenty-first century. Finally, Chapter 5 describes the transformation of "Ecological Reawakening: organic DNA" as it developed over time during the spring honors senior thesis course. It details my mentalities in adding living plant matter to the structure, incorporating a stool into the piece, and creating "Evolution," the digital photography composition that documents "Ecological Reawakening" and was included in the Scripps Senior Art Exhibition in the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery from May 1 – May 17, 2009.