A tool for awakening the environmental consciousness within

The limitations of communication between humans have often prevented us from understanding one another. Technological advancements have clearly erased some of these limitations. However, these advancements haven’t solved the problem because, for one, not everyone has access to technology, and two, communication is not immune to faults. Nonetheless, there is a way beyond these limitations that allows every human being to express themselves and share their ideas with others. It touches the heart directly and brings people together. According to many, it is the best way to communicate with one another.

This way is through art.

Imagine yourself walking somewhere, anywhere, and a piece of art emerges. You decide to stop and contemplate it. What happens then? A couple of moments of contemplation are probably enough to make you feel like you were engaged in an entire conversation with the artist, one that is characterized by emotions and ideas that you can explore further on your own.

The Tree Hugger Project by Agnieszka Gradzik and Wiktor Szostalo, Poland, 2008

Humankind has largely used art as a medium of expression for centuries. The 21st century especially marks an important proliferation of artistic understanding. Jacques Perriault, a professor of Information Sciences and Communication at Paris West University Nanterre La Défense, states, “Today, art plays a role in the construction of ideas, the practices and the notions of communication.” This can be seen in the various branches of art, like in political art, protest art, and resistance art, which have more weight and influence on the world than ever before.

And so, art has not only been used to express opinions and points of view, but also to awaken the masses to raise awareness about different issues. Indeed, where words and numbers fail, people turn to art to convey their ideas. Ai Weivei, one of the biggest Chinese artists and intellectuals, once said, “My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression, a new way of communication. It is never about hanging it on the wall. Art should live in the heart of the people … [and] I don’t think anybody can separate art from politics.” After all, an image is worth a thousand words, which is why the impact of art can be infinite.

Tree With Arteries, Artist Su-chen Hung, Going Green: New Environmental Art, Taiwan, 2010

A very interesting example of this theme is environmental art. Despite the fact that respecting nature, according to some, is something that should be inherent to one’s person, the reality is far from it. So, when scientific studies and projections are not enough to convince people to take action to save the environment, art is used as an essential backup plan to raise awareness. Visual forms of expression illustrating the deterioration of the environment and the negative impact of our actions can encourage people to take action in a way that words cannot. Truly, using art as means of communication allows for the concretization of the current environmental state of the world, one that many do not understand when words come into play.

Clearly, art can allow us to assert our ideas and take action to change the environment around us. In the words of Mahatma Ghandi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” We should not underestimate the small actions that we take to better this world, just like we should never neglect a single drop of water in the ocean. After all, if every drop disappears, then there would be no ocean at all.

By Zaynab Khanafer

Please note that opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views and values of The Blank Page.