Art and artistic processes bridge knowledge systems about social-ecological change: An empirical examination with Inuit artists from Nunavut, Canada
The role of art and artistic processes is one fruitful yet underexplored area of social-ecological resilience. Art and art making can nurture Indigenous knowledge and at the same time bridge knowledge across generations and cultures (e.g., Inuit and scientific). Experiences in two Inuit communities...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Resilience Alliance
2016-06-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Society |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol21/iss2/art21/ |
| _version_ | 1818989890946203648 |
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| author | Kaitlyn J. Rathwell Derek Armitage |
| author_facet | Kaitlyn J. Rathwell Derek Armitage |
| author_sort | Kaitlyn J. Rathwell |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The role of art and artistic processes is one fruitful yet underexplored area of social-ecological resilience. Art and art making can nurture Indigenous knowledge and at the same time bridge knowledge across generations and cultures (e.g., Inuit and scientific). Experiences in two Inuit communities in northern Canada (Cape Dorset and Pangnirtung, Nunavut) provide the context in which we empirically examine the mechanisms through which art and art making may bridge knowledge systems about social-ecological change. Art making and artworks create continuity between generations via symbols and skill development (e.g., seal skin stretching for a modern artistic mural) and by creating mobile and adaptive boundary objects that function as a shared reference point to connect different social worlds. Our results indicate how art and artistic processes may bridge knowledge systems through six mechanisms, and in so doing contribute to social-ecological resilience during change and uncertainty. These mechanisms are (1) embedding knowledge, practice and belief into art objects; (2) sharing knowledge using the language of art; (3) sharing of art making skills; (4) art as a contributor to monitoring social-ecological change; (5) the role of art in fostering continuity through time; and (6) art as a site of knowledge coproduction. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T19:45:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-211d6dbf1c074a30940fc5c8125f8777 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1708-3087 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T19:45:40Z |
| publishDate | 2016-06-01 |
| publisher | Resilience Alliance |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecology and Society |
| spelling | doaj.art-211d6dbf1c074a30940fc5c8125f87772022-12-21T19:28:25ZengResilience AllianceEcology and Society1708-30872016-06-012122110.5751/ES-08369-2102218369Art and artistic processes bridge knowledge systems about social-ecological change: An empirical examination with Inuit artists from Nunavut, CanadaKaitlyn J. Rathwell0Derek Armitage1Environmental Change and Governance Group, University of WaterlooEnvironmental Change and Governance Group, University of WaterlooThe role of art and artistic processes is one fruitful yet underexplored area of social-ecological resilience. Art and art making can nurture Indigenous knowledge and at the same time bridge knowledge across generations and cultures (e.g., Inuit and scientific). Experiences in two Inuit communities in northern Canada (Cape Dorset and Pangnirtung, Nunavut) provide the context in which we empirically examine the mechanisms through which art and art making may bridge knowledge systems about social-ecological change. Art making and artworks create continuity between generations via symbols and skill development (e.g., seal skin stretching for a modern artistic mural) and by creating mobile and adaptive boundary objects that function as a shared reference point to connect different social worlds. Our results indicate how art and artistic processes may bridge knowledge systems through six mechanisms, and in so doing contribute to social-ecological resilience during change and uncertainty. These mechanisms are (1) embedding knowledge, practice and belief into art objects; (2) sharing knowledge using the language of art; (3) sharing of art making skills; (4) art as a contributor to monitoring social-ecological change; (5) the role of art in fostering continuity through time; and (6) art as a site of knowledge coproduction.http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol21/iss2/art21/Arcticartbridging knowledge systemsknowledge integrationknowledge systemsresiliencesocial-ecological changetraditional ecological knowledge |
| spellingShingle | Kaitlyn J. Rathwell Derek Armitage Art and artistic processes bridge knowledge systems about social-ecological change: An empirical examination with Inuit artists from Nunavut, Canada Ecology and Society Arctic art bridging knowledge systems knowledge integration knowledge systems resilience social-ecological change traditional ecological knowledge |
| title | Art and artistic processes bridge knowledge systems about social-ecological change: An empirical examination with Inuit artists from Nunavut, Canada |
| title_full | Art and artistic processes bridge knowledge systems about social-ecological change: An empirical examination with Inuit artists from Nunavut, Canada |
| title_fullStr | Art and artistic processes bridge knowledge systems about social-ecological change: An empirical examination with Inuit artists from Nunavut, Canada |
| title_full_unstemmed | Art and artistic processes bridge knowledge systems about social-ecological change: An empirical examination with Inuit artists from Nunavut, Canada |
| title_short | Art and artistic processes bridge knowledge systems about social-ecological change: An empirical examination with Inuit artists from Nunavut, Canada |
| title_sort | art and artistic processes bridge knowledge systems about social ecological change an empirical examination with inuit artists from nunavut canada |
| topic | Arctic art bridging knowledge systems knowledge integration knowledge systems resilience social-ecological change traditional ecological knowledge |
| url | http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol21/iss2/art21/ |
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