A contemporary art analiysis within the concept of sustainability

This thesis aims to address the concept of sustainability within the context of contemporary art, presenting both a theoretical framework and artistic practices aligned with this perspective. The study is organized into four main chapters. The first chapter focuses on defining sustainability, exploring the concept comprehensively through its environmental, economic, and social components. In line with this, the second chapter examines consumer culture, abundance, and excess through the perspectives of thinkers such as Baudrillard, Bauman, Bocock, and Featherstone. The third chapter evaluates the concept of sustainability within the context of art history, exploring art movements that emerged from the 20th century onward—such as Cubism, Dadaism, Beat, Funk, Nouveau Réalisme, Neo-Dada, Pop Art, Land Art, Environmental Art and Fluxus and Arte Povera—and their relationship to sustainability. Particular emphasis is placed on the Arte Povera movement, analyzing its approaches such as returning to nature, reuse, and production using ordinary materials. The fourth and final chapter includes a project designed by the researcher, comprising artworks and proposals based on the concepts explored throughout the thesis. Through this project, cultural sustainability, traditional crafts, and contemporary art practices are brought together to offer a contemporary interpretation. In addition to literature review as the primary research method, the study is supported by commentary and practical applications. The research seeks to question the relationship between past generations' production practices and today's understanding of sustainability, emphasizing the role of art as both a means of expression and a powerful tool for raising social awareness.