ISDRS

Art and cultural activities have been part of human lives and communities in diverse forms throughout time. On the one hand, art and culture relates to the essence of human interaction in which people interprets and understand our selves and the world we are living in. On the other hand, art and culture relates to material artifacts that can be put on display as public art as well as valuable commodities. But it is not a simple dichotomy. Art and culture’s aesthetic can also be seen as a modus of elevation, engagement and connections which sets focus on art and culture as crucial for creation and community development, and fundaments of cultural sustainability

In cities around the world art and culture are obvious elements through theatres, operas, sculptures and other artwork. But the space for and access to art and cultural activities differs. Power over resources and right to exhibit, tolerance or intolerance to ideas and/or expressions, and the sense of agency to participate, are just some aspects that deserves to be highlighted. In other, more marginalized, parts of cities, art and culture seems to take other forms, at times more as protests or activism against predominate stratas. This track aims to set focus on the power of art and culture related to sustainable cities and communities. We invite submissions from different perspectives, including research on scientific grounds as well as research on artistic grounds.

Topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Current status of art and culture insustainable cities and communities 
• Conditions and terms for art and culture in the urban landscape and in communities
• Performative experiences of art and culture for sustainable cities and communities
• Engaged art and artivism
• Art and culture role for social and cultural sustainability
• Implementation, reflection and analysis of UNESCO’s Thematic Indicators for Culture in the 2030 Agenda
• Dark sides of art and culture for sustainable development