The evaluation of the climate crisis through the imagaery of conceptual art

This thesis aims to address the climate crisis through the lens of conceptual art, reevaluating the relationship between humans and nature within an aesthetic, critical, and interdisciplinary framework. By employing both positive and negative imagery, the study seeks to visualize the contrast between nature's inherent order and the destructive impact of human activities, thereby fostering environmental awareness. Positive imagery symbolizes the balance, cyclical harmony, and aesthetic beauty of nature, while negative imagery highlights the devastating effects of human intervention, particularly the ecological degradation caused by consumer habits and industrial waste. Through the integration of contemporary art disciplines such as land art, installation, performance, and video art, the thesis positions aesthetic elements as a tool for critically engaging with environmental issues. The case study project, "Plastic Traces: The Conflict Between Consumption and Nature," examines plastic pollution as both a material and a conceptual medium to provide a critical perspective on the environmental consequences of modern consumer culture. Utilizing plastic waste, the project not only makes the human impact on nature tangible but also presents it within an aesthetic composition, delivering a powerful visual narrative to audiences. The juxtaposition of natural and synthetic materials is further supported by the incorporation of digital technologies and interactive elements, fostering awareness and prompting action on both individual and societal levels. By leveraging the critical power of art to draw attention to environmental crises, this thesis asserts that conceptual art serves not only as a mode of expression but also as a powerful tool for addressing environmental challenges. In this context, the study demonstrates the transformative potential of art in reshaping perceptions of environmental responsibility and offers a platform for reimagining the relationship between humanity and the natural world.