WEEK 2: Evaluating Environmental Impact

In the second session Evaluating Environmental Impact we will explore what sustainability really means in the context of producing and displaying art. By honing our skill set to critically assess and negotiate social and environmental burdens holistically though group exercises and discussions, we will move away from the binary labelling of materials and methods in the visual arts as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ for the environment. Participants learn to evaluate “sustainable” materials using carbon calculators, digital tools, and online resources to compare sustainability metrics from life cycle assessments (LCA). We will also discuss the broader humanitarian implications of our material choices in shaping a comprehensive and ethical practice.