Haley, D., 2016.

A question of values: art, ecology and the natural order of things

This chapter considers the moral values by which art is produced within contemporary Western culture, and compares this to the original meaning from which the Sanskrit word ‘art’ is derived. These etymological insights are complemented by the idea of asking provision for life to evolve. The chapter explores the philosophical roots of Haley’s practice as an ‘ecological artist’, and places it within the context of Vedic ecology and contemporary transdisciplinary discourse, while critically considering societal, cultural and environmental values, and their impact on our present state of becoming. It further develops Haley’s concept of ‘capable futures’ as a viable antidote to Sustainable Development that ultimately maintains the neo-liberal status quo. The method of writing is in itself an exploration of emergent form, incorporating poetic texts and a creative process of reflexivity, tempered with critical reflection. In its present published context, the text is contextualized by eleven internationally renowned theorists and practitioners, each offering a different perspective on ecological arts, a field that has slowly gained interest and reputation since 1970, but is becoming increasingly important as a viable and creative means of addressing Climate Change and other 21st Century challenges.