Mural art on Ocean_SAP&O pills

[photo Stefania Benetti; graphic Alli]

On the 24th of May 2024 at 4.30 pm CET the “SAP&O pills. Feeling the Ocean” program is hosting Stefania Benetti (University of Eastern Piedmont) to present on “Environmental awareness through mural art: iconographic representations of the sea and ocean on Italian walls” a 15-minute online presentation (followed by some 10 mins R&A)  open to everybody willing to think about the combination of science, art and participatory processes can contribute to exploring and establishing a connection between society and the ocean. 

We will meet here: https://unito.webex.com/meet/chiara.certoma

Environmental awareness through mural art: iconographic representations of the sea and ocean on Italian walls

Stefania Benetti, University of Piemonte Orientale, stefania.benetti@uniupo.it

 https://upobook.uniupo.it/stefania.benetti; https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Stefania-Benetti

Photojournalistic investigative projects, documentaries, videos produced by international organizations, and musical video clips, among other artistic endeavours, are reshaping the perception of the seascape, moving away from the idealized notion of it being merely a vacation destination. Within the context of the relationship between geography and art, this contribution explores how artistic and creative actions, particularly through specific forms of muralism, can foster a deeper sensitivity towards the sea and the ocean within the Italian sphere. Adhering to the concept of popular culture as a means of disseminating environmental discourse, the research delves into the role of murals in shaping the perception of endangered seas and oceans, portraying seascapes in need of preservation. Utilizing visual analysis and an iconographic approach, the research examines the portrayal of animals in artworks, emphasizing how certain symbolic species become visual icons in promoting the conservation of seas and oceans. While the inclusion of such animals in artistic activism serves to evoke emotions and raise awareness of environmental issues, it also runs the risk of being criticized for oversimplification.

Should you like to share your enthusiasm (and work results!) in a SAP&O pill, just email me!  And please feel free to circulate this invitation to everybody potentially interested and on your newsletters, mailing lists etc. 

The activity is part of our discussion group on “Science+Art+Participation in&about the Ocean – SAP&O”.