The upcoming Session 43 Italian Geography Congress, taking place in Turin in September 2025, will feature a dedicated and timely session organized by the innovative Horizon Europe project, PartArt4ow (Participatory Art for society engagement with Ocean and Water). This session will serve as a platform to disseminate the call for contributions to a crucial discussion on the role of art in fostering societal connection with and responsibility towards our oceans and inland waters.
PartArt4ow, coordinated by Sapienza University of Rome, aims to cultivate a stronger emotional link between citizens and aquatic environments, amplify awareness regarding the threats they face, and establish a trans-European network of artists and creative communities committed to their protection and restoration. Recognizing the potent impact of participatory art and creative processes, PartArt4ow believes these approaches can lead to a more profound understanding and engagement with the complexities of ocean and water health.
The session organized by PartArt4ow at the Italian Geography Congress will actively promote a Call for Contributions from geographers, artists, environmental scientists, educators, policymakers, and anyone interested in exploring the intersection of art and aquatic environments. This call will encourage submissions that delve into various aspects of art-based engagement, including:
- Case studies of successful participatory art initiatives focused on ocean and water issues.
- Theoretical frameworks for understanding the impact of art on environmental awareness and action.
- Methodological approaches for integrating artistic practices into geographical research and environmental education.
- The role of art in communicating complex environmental data and narratives to diverse audiences.
- The potential of art to foster emotional connections to aquatic environments and promote pro-environmental behavior.
- Collaborative projects that bridge the gap between artistic expression and geographical understanding of water-related challenges.
- The use of digital and new media art in engaging with ocean and water issues.
By dedicating a session to this theme and actively disseminating a call for contributions, PartArt4ow aims to:
- Enrich the geographical discourse by incorporating creative and participatory methodologies.
- Foster interdisciplinary dialogue between geographers and the arts community.
- Showcase the innovative Participatory Art Initiatives (PAIs) supported by PartArt4ow across Europe, highlighting their methodologies and preliminary findings.
- Inspire new research and collaborative projects that leverage the power of art for ocean and water sustainability.
- Expand the network of individuals and organizations working at the intersection of art, geography, and environmental action.
Attendees of the Session 43 Italian Geography Congress will have a unique opportunity to learn about PartArt4ow's mission and contribute their own insights and experiences to this vital discussion. The session promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking space for exploring innovative approaches to environmental awareness and action.
Geographers, artists, environmentalists, and all those interested in the power of creative engagement with our oceans and waters are strongly encouraged to look out for the official call for contributions to this PartArt4ow-led session within the Session 43 Italian Geography Congress program. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a growing field and help forge new pathways for societal engagement with the critical challenges facing our aquatic environments.