The intent of this thesis and its attendant body of practical work was to examine
and test ideas and practices that can inform and expand the artists' role in the
post-industrial public realm and its environmental context. The general focus was
on transformative approaches to contemporary public art. The specific interest
(and area of practice) is defined by artwork that takes an interdisciplinary
approach to new forms of social creativity in the context of post-industrial
environmental change.
This dissertation begins with a broad literature review to understand public art
and its relationship to: the public realm, ecology, nature and the environment.
The intent was to understand the theory and process that inform answers to
questions regarding the artists' ability to affect public policy; the ability to expand
the creative act beyond singular authorship and finally the question of can we
verify the impact of art? The thesis closes with two chapters describing practical
work on 'Nine Mile Run' a project that developed an ecological restoration
approach to post-industrial public space; also '3 Rivers 2nd Nature' which focused
upon the emancipation of, and a means to advocate for post industrial nature.
These projects were developed with the intention to test theory through
application and value through outcome.
The goal was to provide a better understand of ideas that define and enable
collaborative or inter-relational approaches to transformative art practice. The
intention was to make a small contribution to the theoretical framework that
informs the conceptualization, experience and valuation of transformative public
art practices that intend to affect the material and conceptual forms of the post-industrial
public realm.
It is through intellectual study and ongoing practice that the three original
questions are addressed with a cautionary affirmative. Other specific findings
include the following.
• The ongoing tension between individual freedom and social interaction is
best addressed through a moral commitment to creativity in relationship to
the emancipation of people, places and things.
• Visual evidence can not be the sole focal point of critical engagement with
transformative practice.
• Transformative practices that undertake an inter-relational methodology
demand ethical, responsible and distributed outcomes.
Date of Award | 2007 |
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Original language | English |
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Awarding Institution | |
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Art Ecology and Planning: Strategic Concepts and Creativity within the Post Industrial Public Realm
Collins, T. M. (Author). 2007
Student thesis: PhD