The environment is a hot topic at the moment. Every industry is turning ‘green’. Measurements have a high impact on our daily lives. We all know that driving a car is reducing the air quality and that locally grown food is preferred over imported. For example, if we buy an organic mango that was grown in Cuba, how sustainable is this fruit after its journey to consumers in Europe? We are forced to ask questions and face the consequences of our actions. But how does the ‘green trent’ apply to the arts?

In Designland we find an interesting trent. The Amsterdam based design platform 21 launched a campaign in favor of repairing. Being more sustainable than recycling, repairing has an artistic potential as well. With over one million downloads in a few months, the repair manifesto is used as a guideline for many people world wide.

Looking at Architecture, we find examples of clever solutions to reduce the environmental impact of a building. Among them are houses literally build out of trash, designed by innovative architects.

If we compare 'the organic fruit concept' to a desert circle by Richard Long, expecting to find sustainability in Land Art, what do we see? Made in nature, with elements from the nature, shown in its own environment; sustainable art at its best one could say. But how much of its sustainability is left when this work is shown in the Tate Britain in London? Imagine all the stones being removed from an American desert and transported to the gallery in London.

Looking at one of the most discussed art works of this time, For the Love of God by Damien Hirst, we see a work that will most likely outlive many generations of people. A platinum skull, cast with over 8.000 diamonds, will never decay. But if we look at the production of the materials­ the piece is made of, we can most likely call it the least sustainable work of art ever made on environmental and social levels. This brings us to the question: does it actually exist, sustainable art? And if so, what is it?

Aldo Kroese [Holland, 1976] is a visual artist who works with media such as sculpture, photo and video. His main themes are movement and time as he often shows a process that takes place in his works. On invitation of the Architecture Department of the University of Nicosia, Kroese explores the subject of Sustainability in the world of the Arts.

Using image as a guideline, Kroese will take the audience on a visual journey. He will show 146 photo’s and 14 video’s in about 60 minutes.

ALDO KROESE 2010