The meeting of sustainable textiles and contemporary art

In the study titled The Meeting of Sustainable Textiles and Contemporary Art, sustainability, contemporary art, contemporary art practices and the reflection of the textile field on these approaches are discussed. Sustainability is the equitable distribution of existing resources between present- day societies and future generations. The textile industry is one of the industries notable for its high energy consumption, which causes air and water pollution, and generates unpleasant odors and waste. In this context, the research examines the damage textiles, through their physical and chemical composition, inflict on nature, the environment, and the life cycle of living organisms. The thesis consists of seven chapters. In the introduction part of the first chapter, the problem definition of the thesis, its purpose, the importance of the research, limitations and definitions of basic concepts are presented. The second part of the thesis examines the historical development, meaning, and social and ecological dimensions of the concept of sustainability through various sources. Fundamental approaches to sustainability are presented and briefly summarized in light of information obtained from domestic and international literature. Since discarded textiles are the primary material in the design process, the impact of textiles on sustainability is addressed under a separate heading. The production rates of textile raw materials, the damage their chemical and physical contents inflict on nature and the life cycle, and the potential sustainability approaches that can be implemented as a result of these damages are discussed. Under the heading "Sustainability," the origin and historical process of the concept of sustainability, as well as the impact of textiles on sustainability, are explored. Due to its proximity to the intersection of sustainable textiles and contemporary art, the main topic of this thesis, this information is analyzed and presented. The third section of the thesis, titled "Contemporary Art," explores the birth and artistic practices of contemporary art and the place of textiles in contemporary art. The form of expression, formation, and historical development of contemporary art are examined chronologically. Subsequently, under the subheading "Contemporary Art and Textiles," artists' artistic interpretations of diverse materials and forms of expression through textiles are evaluated. To foster interdisciplinary interaction, examples from artists are presented chronologically, supplemented with visuals, providing a comprehensive analysis of the place and significance of textiles in contemporary art practices. The fourth chapter explores contemporary art and the concept of sustainability. It examines how artists and designers, aiming to minimize harm to nature, living things, and the life cycle, have incorporated the principle of sustainability into their contemporary art practices. The impact of this reflection over the years is presented through various artworks, supported by visuals. In the fifth chapter, under the title of the meeting of sustainable textiles and contemporary art, the reflection of the concept of sustainable textiles on contemporary art practices was investigated. The sixth chapter begins with the title "Sustainable Textiles and Contemporary Art Practice." This chapter covers the design processes that bring together sustainable textile materials and contemporary art practices. In this convergence of sustainable textiles and contemporary art, drawing techniques were used to create artistic designs. In line with the design ideas, sustainable textiles were used as the primary material and combined with supporting materials to create three-dimensional drawings. Inspired by the information and findings obtained, a sculptural application using discarded textiles as the primary material was included. The seventh chapter includes the conclusion.