From Ignorance to Resonance: Analysis of the Transformative Potential of Dissensus and Agonistic Deliberation in Sustainability Communication

Authors

  • Franzisca Weder University of Queensland, School of Communication and Arts
  • Denise Voci University of Klagenfurt, Department of Media and Communication Studies

Keywords:

sustainability communication, climate change, Eco-art, nonprofit communication, narratives, agonism, deliberation

Abstract

In an intensifying climate crisis with sustainability as a moral framework for political, corporate, and individual behavior, there is a broad range of nonprofit organizations communicating increasingly professionally as agents of social change. Here, the potential of Eco-art as a way to stimulate social and ecological transformation by communicating sustainability more strategically (and thus effectively) is currently overlooked. After conceptualizing Eco-art as an example of a new type of antiprofit—in the sense of agonistic communication, putting existing (unsustainable) power structures and symbolic order into question—we examine the project FOR FOREST, which transformed a local football stadium in Central Europe into a large public art installation, where 300 trees were transplanted over the existing football pitch. The qualitative analysis of (social) media content in the exhibition period, complemented by interviews (N = 15) with central stakeholders, offered insights into three problematizing fields of discourse. With our contribution, we show the potential of Eco-art for sustainability communication in handling dissensus with agonism and its important role in demystifying sustainability by moving from ignorance to resonance.

Author Biographies

Franzisca Weder, University of Queensland, School of Communication and Arts

Assoc. Prof. Dr.,phone: +61 (0) 49 175 4828Research Areas: sustainability communication, Corporate Social Responsibility, environmental and science communication, green journalism, Public Relations, strategic communication 

Denise Voci, University of Klagenfurt, Department of Media and Communication Studies

Dr., BA, MAphone: +43 463 2700 1803Research Areas: organizational communication, media economics, media management, CSR/Corporate Social Responsibility, environmental and sustainability communication, rhetorics

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Published

2021-01-01

Issue

Vol. 15 (2021)

Section

Articles

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