Art itself is an ecosystem

Climate change is putting unprecedented pressure on the artist’s sense of public responsibility but as Miranda Wright from The Centre of Sustainable Practice in the Arts mentions, “Sustainability in the art world is a growing area of exploration”.

While the meaningful nature of the arts in society puts it in a position to take a lead on climate action, whether it is the role of the artist to make art about climate leaves much to be desired. Inspiration cannot and should not just come from climate. For if art was simply reduced to being about climate then art loses its value.However, much hope exists for artists to maintain artistic excellence and innovation through the development of sustainable practices. If Art players view the arts realm as its own ecosystem where internal and external activities are all interdependent parts, it may heighten the integrity of the arts during a time when climate change is at the forefront. Sustainable practice in art should not just be seen as looking at one’s carbon footprint but be also seen as looking at how we can contextualize our cultural shift with what we show our audiences, whatever the art form. It should not just be the artists but also the curators, directors and art directors who can use their power to affect such change. Alison Tickell, founder of Julie’s Bicycle, a not-for-profit company helping the creative industries cut their greenhouse gas emissions and create a low carbon future, proposes that by changing the infrastructure so that it is environmentally sustainable, it creates an ecologically sound basis from which the artists do their work. Much of that work will have nothing to do with climate change; some of it might inspire millions to think in a new way about the planet.

Melbourne Fringe will this year kick start their commitment to making the annual Melbourne Fringe Festival as sustainable as possible. It is an initiative that will see Melbourne Fringe as being if not the first in the world, then the first in Australia to tackle climate change in the independent art scene.

As Melbourne Fringe’s Green Intern, I hope not to be seen as the Green Nazi, for I accept that artists don’t simply ”do” climate but since they own their art, maybe they will be inspired to take some responsibility for it?