Art Activism, Sustainability, and the Impact of COVID-19

This report delves into the dynamic practice of art activism and its relationship with sustainability, examining how art combines creative power with strategic planning to drive social change. It addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on art activism, particularly the challenges posed by social distancing. The research identifies key artists and exhibitions supporting sustainability and explores the creation of an origami mask with improved features as a sustainable solution. The report reviews literature on the subject, outlines the research methodology, and presents findings, interpretations, and recommendations, including graphic design and improved practices for effective art activism. The study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of how art activism can contribute to a more sustainable future, especially in the context of the pandemic.

Art activism
Table of Contents

Topic: Art activism in relation to sustainability..............................................................................1
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Overview of the study............................................................................................................1
Aim.........................................................................................................................................1
Research Objectives...............................................................................................................1
Rationale for selection of topic...............................................................................................2
Scope and limitation of research............................................................................................2
Research questions.................................................................................................................3
Literature Review.............................................................................................................................3
To determine about the artist and exhibitions who are looking for activist practice in support
and relation to sustainability...................................................................................................4
To evaluate about the changes and impact lead out by COVID-19 pandemic on the practises
of art activism.........................................................................................................................5
To determine some better Graphic design and improved practises to have effective art
activism in relation to sustainability which comprises of creating and coming with an origami
mask with improved features..................................................................................................6
Research methodology.....................................................................................................................7
Data collection and analysis...........................................................................................................13
Analysis of collected data.....................................................................................................13
Interpretation of research Findings.......................................................................................15
Discussion and communication of results......................................................................................24
Discussion on results............................................................................................................24
Communication of results.....................................................................................................25
Conclusion and Recommendation.................................................................................................25
Conclusion............................................................................................................................25
Recommendation..................................................................................................................26
Reflection.......................................................................................................................................27
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................28

Topic: Art activism in relation to sustainability
Introduction
Overview of the study
Artistic or art Activism basically presents and reflects a dynamic practice which aim at
combining the creative power of the arts in order to move an individual or group of people
emotionally with the help and support of strategic planning of activism that is necessary to bring
about social change. On the other hand, the concept of Sustainability basically means meeting of
our own current needs without leading any compromising with the ability of future generations
to meet their needs thus, focus and aim at better and more economical use of natural resources,
along with total social and economic resources (Schmitz and et. al., 2020). It has been observed
that the during the COVID-19 pandemic, arranging protests and political movements in the
streets has proven challenging due to social distancing orders. Therefore, current research
investigation is lead out to evaluate about the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the art activism.
Further, an implication about the key artist and exhibitions who are looking for activist practice
in support of sustainability is also made as it is vital to support the concept of sustainability for
better future (Mphande, 2021). Beside this, the current research also focuses and emphasis on the
creating and coming with an improved and origami mask that is more sustainable and have
improved features.
Aim
The main aim and purpose behind leading out current investigation is, “To evaluate about
the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the art activism along with analysing key artist and
exhibitions who are looking for activist practice in support of sustainability”. To support the
sustainability along with mitigating the impact of COVID-19 the main purpose of current
investigation consists of creating an origami mask with improved feature and design.
Research Objectives
The main research objectives that would be analysed and evaluated through current research
project are provided as below:
 To determine about the artist and exhibitions who are looking for activist practice in
support and relation to sustainability.
1

 To evaluate about the changes and impact lead out by COVID-19 pandemic on the
practises of art activism.
 To determine some better graphic design and improved practises to have effective art
activism in relation to sustainability which comprises of creating and coming with an
origami mask with improved features.
Rationale for selection of topic
The selection of the current research topic based on topic of analysing impact of COVID-
19 on the practises of art activism is important and vital as the current situation of pandemic has
changed the way of protest due to the social distancing rules thus, it is vital to evaluate about its
impact on practises of art activism. Beside this, the significance of current research project can
also be observed from the fact that the concept of sustainability is important to make efficient
and better use resources. Thus, the topic selected for current project is important as it would lead
significant importance for Sustainable art. Further, it is focused on producing with the
consideration for the wider impact of the work and its reception in relationship to its
environments (social, economic, biophysical, historical and cultural). Apart from this, selection
of current research topic is also important as it would meet the academic and educational
perceptive of the researcher and also meet personal implication. Beside this, the significance for
selection of current research topic could also be observed from the fact that it ensures
improvement in the managerial and other interpersonal skills. Thus, current research project is
important and vital for better professional opportunities and future growth.
Scope and limitation of research
The current research project and investigation is having a wide scope as it reflects about
the main changes and impact lead out by COVID-19 pandemic on the practises of art activism.
Thus, current topic has become vital and important in context of future protest by art activism
which must be based on and follow all the rules and orders relayed with social distancing. Apart
from this, the scope of current investigation also comprises of the analysis of artist and
exhibitions who are looking for activist practice in support and relation to sustainability as it is
an important and vital concept which focuses on improved and efficient use of resources along
with leading wider impact of the work and its reception in relationship to its environments.
Further, the scope of current project comprises of the fact that sustainability has become a vital
concept in current scenario. Therefore, it is not only aim at meeting current needs but also
2

emphasis on meeting wants and needs of future. Thus, it is having a vast scope that not only
emphasis on current situation but also useful in future context. Further, the scope of current
investigation also comprises and consists of focusing on creation of an origami mask that would
lead to improved sustainability and also mitigate the risk of COVID-19.
The main limitation which are related and associated with current investigation comprises
of lack of sufficient time and resources. Conducting a detail research project comprises of a large
number of activities and task thus, proper management of time is a main issue and consequence
associated with current project. Beside this, access to limited resources is also a vital limitation
and issue associated with current research project as collection of authentic and most appropriate
form of information and facts is most important and vital for efficiency of work. Use of most
appropriate and suitable research method has been made to maintain efficiency and effectiveness
of current research project though proper management of time and leading better and authentic
data collection which has been explained and discussed under the section of research
methodology.
Research questions
 Who are the key artist and exhibitions who are looking for activist practice in support and
relation to sustainability?
 What possible changes and impact is lead out COVID-19 pandemic on the practises of art
activism?
 Which could be some better graphic design and improved practises to have effective art
activism which support sustainability along with overcoming the risk of COVID-19?
Literature Review
This forms out an important and vital part of every research project that facilitates a
systematic and easy analysis of secondary source of information. Literature review basically
comprises of survey of scholarly sources such as books, journal articles, and other sources of
secondary information related which are related to the specific topic or research question
(Castellano, 2020). The current research topic is based on the changes and impact lead out by
COVID-19 pandemic on the practises of art activism along with analysing key artist and
exhibitions who are looking for activist practice in support and relation to sustainability an
3

analysis and evaluation of which is provide as below with the help of review and survey of
online article and journals.
To determine about the artist and exhibitions who are looking for activist practice in support and
relation to sustainability.
As per the view point of Tate, L., 2021, there are many artist and exhibitions who are
looking for activist practice in support and relation to sustainability who mainly act as
environmental artists who are been praised not only for great works they create, but also for
raising awareness about environmental problems our planet faces in relation to support improved
sustainability. An analysis of some of these artist and exhibitions who are looking for activist
practice in support and relation to sustainability are discussed and evaluated as below (7
Environmental Artists Fighting for Change, 2020):
Disobedient objects exhibition by V&A- This is basically an exhibition about the various
form of art and design which are produced and crested by some grassroots social movement. The
main aim of disobedient objects exhibition comprises of exploration of the material culture along
with the radical change as well as the through making use of banners or posters along with book-
blocs and activist robots (Siim, and Meret, 2020). Thus, an analysis can be made that
Disobedient objects exhibition provides a manifesto for experimental alternative design which
aim at showing how objects can define encounters and inspire activists to bring vital social
change.
The guilera girls- This art activism describes themselves as the ‘conscience of the art
world’ who are donning gorilla masks in order to conceal the identity in a very and creating witty
play on words. This group of guilera girls comprise of female art activism who had fought with
the ubiquitous racism and sexism which traditionally underpins the art world (The Guerrilla
Girls: 30 Years of Art Activism and Counting, 2021). The Guerrilla Girls have built a reputation
on their fearlessness who tend to begin with creating controversial posters aim at staggering
inequality which is represented as discrimination of male as compare to a female artists.
Barbara Kruiger- This group of art activism has begun creating artwork outside of her
design work, first using textiles, her own photography, and later found photography the design of
which was influenced by the graphic designer. Thus, the Barbara Kruger is basically an
American conceptual artist who is well known for her combination of type and image that
conveys a direct feminist cultural critique (Trimbur, 2020). Thus, her works aim at examining
4

the stereotypes and the behaviours of consumerism along with a text layered over mass-media
images.
Extinction rebellion- It is well known global environmental movement which has stated
and aim at using nonviolent civil disobedience in order to compel and force government action in
order to motivate them towards avoiding the tipping points in the climate system along with
emphasising on the topic of biodiversity loss along with leading movement about the risk of
social and ecological collapse.
To evaluate about the changes and impact lead out by COVID-19 pandemic on the practises of
art activism.
With respect to the information provided by the McGinley, P.A., 2020, it has been
observed that a severe and negative impact is lead out and created by COVID-19 on the practises
of art activism as the global pandemic of COVID-19 has put a sudden and substantial shut down
in the art and cultural heritage sector (Culture in crisis: Arts fighting to survive COVID-19
impact, 2020). Many cultural heritage and art library and exhibitions has shut down and closed
because of this COVID-19 issues and they make attempt to uphold their (often publicly funded)
mission to provide access to cultural heritage to the community with the aim of maintaining the
safety of their employees, collections, and the public while making reaction to the unexpected
change in their business model with an unknown end (Gilmour, 2020).
Thus, an analysis can be made out that the outbreak of COVID-19 in march 2020 has led
to close of most of the cultural and art institution across the various location of world for an
indefinite time and also radically curtailed and stop in-person exhibitions, events, and
performances which were cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19. Therefore, an analysis can
be made out that the COVID-19 has led to a negative impact in sector of art activism through
leading sudden lockdown and ban on form of physical protest and gathering through enforcing
strict social distancing norms and rules (Schmitz and et. al., 2020).
Further, as per the view point of Haisan, C., 2020, an analysis can also be made that
COVID-19 pandemic has also lead many vital changes on the practises of art activism in form of
focusing and emphasising on online art and activism. Beside this, adopting a more focused
strategic planning to ensure effective art activism by means of online channels and through
making use of 3D design and more attractive graphic is also a new change brought by COVID-
19 in sector of art activism.
5

To determine some better Graphic design and improved practises to have effective art activism in
relation to sustainability which comprises of creating and coming with an origami mask
with improved features.
As per the view point of Abendroth, M., 2020, the graphic design is mainly related and
associated with the coming up with improved way and design of material to support
improvement and betterment in society. With respect to current project to maintain the effective
level of art activism in relation to maintain sustainability, use and implication of creating and
coming up with an original and improved mask has been made. The main features of new
origami mask would comprise of the fact that it is more sustainable as it is made up of eco-
friendly material. Beside this the new mask also support the enhanced fashionable level and it is
also easy to fold and easy to breathe (Mphande, 2021). The expected image of the mask that
would be created on the basis of finding of current investigation which support sustainability and
also ensures protection from COVID-19 is provided and depicted as below:
6

It has been analysed that a better face mask is needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19
along with ensuring that it based on eco-friendly material and also support long term
sustainability. Thus, as a part of graphics designer this origami mask is prepared which is
fashionable and sustainable consists of basic pleats to complex interlocking folds to support
better safety form corona virus. Further, it has been also ensured that the origami mask should
deliver better fitting along with more comfortable and stylish face covering (Castellano, 2020).
Further, it has been observed material matter of an art design and new creation forms the
most vital part in supporting its sustainability as use of eco-friendly material and substances are
must for that. Thus, with respect to current origami mask it has been use of two or three layers is
made in place of one to enhance its safety and sustainability and apart from this use of
polypropylene material is also made on recommendation of Shu Sang who is a professor of
material science. Thus, all the features and aspects of Origami mask are taken after considering
the fact that it must support and leads to sustainability along with mitigating and limiting the risk
of COVID-19 through making use of two-three layer along with use of appropriate material
matters (Siim, and Meret, 2020).
Research methodology
This sections forms and lead out a vial part of a research project which facilitates and
provide information about the methodologies and techniques which are applied and utilised by a
researcher to carry out an investigation in more better and effective manner(Hughes and Barlo,
2021). Use of research onion model is made for current study as it facilitates and ensures a more
systematic way to present all the required information about the research method and approaches
which are applied to conduct and carry out current investigation. A description about key
research method along it justification for their selection has been provided as below:
7

Figure 1: Research Onion, 2021.
Research Philosophy- There are four common types of research philosophy consist of
positivism, Realism, interpretivisim and pragmatism. Out of these four types of research
philosophy, use of positivism form of philosophy is seemed most suitable and justifiable as it
facilitates better analysis of impact lead out by COVID-19 in relation to art activism through
supporting numeric form of investigation. Further, selection positivism philosophy is also
important and vital as it lead to more systematic and practical for of research to accomplish with
specific set of results (Säfsten and Gustavsson, 2020).
Research approach- Deductive and inductive are two common form of research approach
presented by the second layer of research onion. Out of these two research approach use of
deductive is more appropriate and justifiable for current study as it facilitates support for
positivism form of research approach along with allowing and leading out better scanning and
testing of numeric facts and data for better analysis of set objectives.
Research strategy- This sections forms out a vital and important part of research
methodology that facilitates and ensure a complete design and framework for further
investigation. The main forms and types of research strategy comprises of action research,
experiments, observation, survey, interview and many other that facilities systematic collection
and analysis of data (Ndenje-Sichalwe and Elia, 2020). With respect to current study about the
impact lead out by the COVID-19 on the art activism, utilisation of survey form research strategy
is most appropriate and suitable as it leads to better collection by the way of using questionnaire
which ensures and leads out to collection of data from a large section of participants in most cost
and time effective manner.
8

Choices of method- Qualitative and quantitative are two most common types of research
method out of one is selected by the investigator on the basis of nature of research. In accordance
with nature of current study, utilisation of quantitative form of research method is more
appropriate and justifiable as it ensures easy collection of data in numeric term which is more
easy and efficient to gather and analysis through making use of statistical tool and charts (Costa,
Gabriel and Enguita, 2020). Thus, selection of quantitative nature of research method is suitable
as it supports more specific and measurable form of research results through supporting objective
nature of investigation findings of which can be easy analysed and evaluated.
Time horizons- There are two main forms of time horizons which consists of cross-sectional
and longitudinal out of which cross sectional is mainly related with the short period of term
while longitudinal implies the observations for a particular variable that are available for several
years, quarters, months or days (Ziai, Bendix and Müller, 2020). Thus, use and implication of
cross sectional time horizons is more suitable and appropriate for current research project, which
is used to present all observation at a single point of time to maintain the efficiency of work.
Following Gantt chart is used to present the time horizons and durations of current research
project in a more clear and systematic way:
9