Forest Disputes: Socially Engaged Art and Forest Science for Understanding Sustainability Challenges

Authors

• Katja Juhola University of Lapland the Faculty of Art and Design

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54916/rae.142431

Keywords:

Socially engaged art, forest conflict, activist art, art-science, collaborative art

Abstract

This paper explores activist art's potential in promoting environmental awareness and community engagement, drawing from the International Socially Engaged Art Symposium (ISEAS). Focused on a Western Lapland ISEAS event, the study highlights art workshops addressing forest use conflicts facilitated by artist-scientist teams. These workshops offer a secure space for participants to express environmental concerns, fostering creative expression and dialogue. The study suggests that art-based interventions powerfully promote environmental awareness and community engagement by creating safe spaces for collaborative dialogue. Through ISEAS experiences, the paper demonstrates how activist art facilitates meaningful community engagement, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental challenges.