Critical Thinking and Community Engagement through Artistic Actions

In a society that strives for sustainability it is important to observe and value different forms of knowledge. Creating art is not a meaningless exercise. Instead, one might say that works of art serve as a window that interprets the world. In the article it is argued that artistic actions can offer a combination of critical and creative thinking reflecting on the types of knowledge and experience that count as valuable for sustainable communities. The article reflects on the participatory installation Colours of Rovaniemi and how ABER was used in the creation process. The methodology focused on the transformative power of community engagement when creating artistic actions that engage with sustainability. The installation provoked critical thinking and encouraged the participants to take a stand on the issues discussed. Artworks of this kind are well suited to help us understand the issues we face regarding sustainability. The work raised questions of who we are, what we prioritise in our lives. It initiated discussion of the connection between man and nature, attitudes, values and national self-identity, challenging the participants' perspectives.