Sustainability in an Imaginary World: Art and the Question of Agency

Sustainability in an Imaginary World explores the social agency of art and its connection to complex issues of sustainability, proposing a theory of art to preserve the integrity of arts practices within transdisciplinary mandates.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 13 December 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Sustainability in an Imaginary World delves into the profound social agency of art and its intricate connection to complex sustainability issues. Over the past decade, there has been a significant surge in interest in arts agency, as an increasing number of fields embrace the arts with ever-growing expectations. However, just as art is being hailed as a transformative force for social change, research is emerging to temper such enthusiasm, questioning the linear, prescriptive, and instrumental expectations often associated with transdisciplinary interactions. At this critical juncture, art finds itself at a precarious crossroads, unable to ignore the urgent calls for help from various fields that may not traditionally be considered aesthetic. Yet, in responding to these prescriptive demands, art risks compromising the very power it was sought to harness in the first place.

In pursuit of a solution, this book embarks on a quest to propose a theory of art that aims to uphold the integrity of artistic practices within the framework of transdisciplinary mandates. This theoretical framework is then explored through a series of case studies, developed in collaboration with some of Canada's most renowned artists. These case studies encompass a diverse range of artistic disciplines, including internationally renowned nature poet Don McKay, Italian composer and Head of Vancouver New Music, Giorgio Magnanesi, the renowned Electric Company Theatre, led by Kevin Kerr, and a large-scale multimedia installation that aims to reimagine the relationship between climate, culture, and human agency.

Sustainability in an Imaginary World holds immense appeal to students and scholars engaged in arts-based research fields, sustainability studies, and environmental humanities. It offers a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between art, society, and sustainability, shedding light on the potential for artistic practices to drive positive change and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Weight: 490g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032238746