Reflections of nonviolent communication theory in art practices that generate ecological awareness

Şule BAYRAK YILDIZ

doi:10.47481/yjad.1809680

Article Open Access1 January 2025

Reflections of nonviolent communication theory in art practices that generate ecological awareness

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Şule Bayrak Yildiz ¹

¹BANDIRMA ONYEDI EYLUL UNIVERSITY, BANDIRMA VOCATIONAL SCHOOL

Yildiz Journal of Art and Design 2025, Vol. 12, Issue 2, pp. 114-123; doi.org/10.47481/yjad.1809680

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Abstract

This article examines how the four core components of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) theory (observation, emotion, need, and demand) are established through visual, bodily, and spatial strategies in contemporary art practices that generate ecological awareness. The study aims to discuss the relationship between environmental activism and art not only at the levelof the message/theme conveyed but also through the form of communication established with the viewer. The literature shows that NVC is predominantly addressed in the fields of psychology, education, and interpersonal communication; however, systematic analyses based on NVC in art studies, particularly in the context of ecological art, remain limited. This research proposes NVC as a viable analytical lens for ecological art criticism to address this gap. The research was conducted on five ecological art works selected through purposeful sampling. The sample consisted of works produced between 1980 and 2020 that represent different forms of expression, such as photography, land art, performance, and spatial installation, and that aim to make environmental issues visible and establish a relationship with the viewer. The dataset is structured around the visual and spatial components of the artworks, along with their accompanying production and exhibition contexts. Using a descriptive qualitative analysis approach, each artwork was analyzed according to a coding scheme guided by the four components of the NVC Nonviolent Communication (NVC). These are: forms of producing non-judgmental witnessing (observation), aesthetic and bodily mechanisms that trigger emotion (emotion), the visibility of vital needs of nature and socio-ecological relations (need), and explicit or implicit calls to action directed at the viewer (request). The findings demonstrate that ecological art can transform the language-based framework of the NVC into a visual and spatial communication language. Documentation and archival-based works strengthen the “observation” component, while practices established through body, contact, and labor in public spaces highlight the “emotion” and “need” dimensions. Participatory and humorous mechanisms, without forcing the viewer into a defensive position, make the “demand” component functional. This study argues that NVC offers a viable analytical framework for reading ecological art and opens up a discussion on art’s capacity to generate conflict-free dialogue and empathy regarding environmental issues. It also provides space for a reassessment of the ethical and communicative dimensions of art.

Keywords: Eco-art; ecological art; awareness; sustainability; nonviolent communication

References

Aydın, A. (2012). Land Art Project. Behance Web sitesi: https://www.behance.net/gallery/12843661/LAND-ART-PROJECT adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 01.07.2025)
Beuys, J. (1990). What is Art: Conversations with Joseph Beuys. (Çev. V. Harlan). Forest Row: Clairview Books.
Brunner, C., Nigro, R., & Raunig, G. (2013). Post-Media Activism, Social Ecology and Eco-Art. Third Text, 27(1), 10-16. doi:10.1080/09528822.2013.752200
Curtis, D. J., Reid, N., & Ballard, G. (2012, Haziran). Communicating Ecology Through Art: What Scientists Think. Ecology and Society, 17(2). https://www.jstor.org/stable/26269030 adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 20.07.2023)
Elfenbein, H. A., & Ambady, N. (2003). Universals and Cultural Differences in Recognizing Emotions. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 12(5), s. 159–164. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8721.0125 adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 12.08.2023)
Frohardt, R. (2020). The Plastic Bag Store. Robin Frohardt Web sitesi: http://www.robinfrohardt.com/plastic-bag-store-1 adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 23.09.2023)
Gablik, S. (1993). The Reenchantment of Art. New York: Thames and Hudson.
Glot. (2018). Selected for Ingram Prize. https://fionacampbellart.co.uk/blog/tag/eco+art+workshop adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 01.09.2023)
Hanson, D. T. (1984). Moma Web sitesi: https://www.moma.org/collection/works/46304 adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 06.05.2024)
Hanson, D. T. (1997). Late Twentıeth-Century Landscapes. David T. Hanson Web sitesi: https://www.davidthanson.net/late-twentieth-century-landscapes.html adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 09.09.2023)
Hargie, O., & Dickson, D. (2004). Skilled Interpersonal Communication: Research, Theory and Practice (4. b.). London: Routledge.
Kansky, R., & Barter, D. (2021). Pre-Congress Sessions. Conbio Web sitesi: https://conbio.org/mini-sites/iccb-2023/program/short-courses-1/ adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 02.10.2023)
Kansky, R., & Maassarani, T. (2022, Ocak 6). Teaching nonviolent communication to increase empathy between people and toward wildlife to promote human–wildlife coexistence. Society for Conservation Biology, 15(1).
Lauwrens, J. (2019, Ocak). Take a Hike: Fostering Environmental Values by Walking with Ecological Art. de arte, 54(1). doi:10.1080/00043389.2019.1611023
Leu, L. (2003). Nonviolent Communication Companion Workbook: A Practical Guide for Individual. Puddledancer Press.
Leu, L. (2015). Nonviolent Communication Companion Workbook. Puddledancer Press.
Marks, M., Chandler, L., & Baldwin, C. (2016, Ağustos). Environmental art as an innovative medium for environmental education in Biosphere Reserves. Environmental Education Research, 29(9), s. 1-15. doi:10.1080/13504622.2016.1214864
Mehrabian, A. (1981). Silent Messages: Implicit Communication of Emotions and Attitudes. Wadsworth: Belmont.
Mutlu, E. (1998). İletişim Sözlüğü. Ankara: Ark Yayınları.
Northouse, L., & Northouse, P. (1998). Health Communication-Strategies for Health Professionals. Stamford: Appleton & Lange.
NYC Tourism & Conventions. (2020). The Climate Museum. NYC The Official Guide Web sitesi: https://www.nycgo.com/museums-galleries/the-climate-museum/ adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 09.09.2023)
Rose, L. (2006, Ocak). Nonviolent Communication: A Tool for Working with Children Who Have Emotional or Behavioral Challenges.: General Music Today, 19(2), s. 35-36. doi:10.1177/10483713060190020110
Rosenberg, M. (1999). Nonviolent communication: A language of compassion. Encinitas: Puddle Dancer Press.
Rosenberg, M. B. (2019). Şiddetsiz İletişim Bir Yaşam Dili (18. b.). İstanbul: Remzi Kitabevi.
Sitzman, K. (2004, Haziran). Anger and the Use of Nonviolent Communication. Home Healthcare Nurse, 429.
Sullivan, D. (2007, Mart). Nonviolence Begins With Speech: An Interview with Emily Gaarder on the Practice of Nonviolent Communication. Contemporary Justice Review, 10(1), s. 131–142.
The Center for Nonviolent Communication. (2020). CNVC Web sitesi: https://www.cnvc.org/ adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 03.11.2023)
Tomsuk, E. E. (2022, Eylül). Beuys ve Doğa İlişkisi Bağlamında Sanatın İyileştirici Gücü. Ulak Bilge, 76, s. 907–. doi:10.7816/ulakbilge-10-76-01
Tutar, H., Yılmaz, M. K., & Erdönmez, C. (2003). Genel ve Teknik İletişim. Ankara: Nobel.
Ukeles, M. L. (1980). Touch Sanitation. Ronald Feldman Gallery Web sitesi: https://feldmangallery.com/exhibition/096-touch-sanitation-ukeles-9-9-10-5-1984 adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 03.11.2023)
Ukeles, M. L. (2021, Ekim). Touch Sanitation. WEAD Magazine, Women Eco Artists Dialogue Web sitesi: https://directory.weadartists.org/touch-sanitation adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 06.11.2023)
Vater, R. (1992). Art and Ecology || The Poetic and Mythologic Crossroads of Ecological Art. Art Journal, 51(2).
Wallen, R. (2012). Ecological Art: A Call for Visionary Intervention in a Time of Crisis. Leonardo, 45(3), s. 234–242. https://doi.org/10.1162/leon_a_00365 adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 21.06.2023)
Weintraub, L. (2012). To life! eco art in pursuit of a sustainable planet. California: University of California Press.
Wright, A. (2019). Emotional Intelligence: How To Use Nonviolent Communication To Skyrocket Your EQ: For Stress Relief, Effective Communication, Empathy, Overcoming Challenges, and Conflict Resolution. Independently published.

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YILDIZ, Ş.B. Reflections of nonviolent communication theory in art practices that generate ecological awareness. Yildiz Journal of Art and Design 2025, Vol. 12, pp. 114-123. https://doi.org/10.47481/yjad.1809680

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Reflections of nonviolent communication theory in art practices that generate ecological awareness

¹BANDIRMA ONYEDI EYLUL UNIVERSITY, BANDIRMA VOCATIONAL SCHOOL

Abstract

References

Aydın, A. (2012). Land Art Project. Behance Web sitesi: https://www.behance.net/gallery/12843661/LAND-ART-PROJECT adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 01.07.2025)
Beuys, J. (1990). What is Art: Conversations with Joseph Beuys. (Çev. V. Harlan). Forest Row: Clairview Books.
Brunner, C., Nigro, R., & Raunig, G. (2013). Post-Media Activism, Social Ecology and Eco-Art. Third Text, 27(1), 10-16. doi:10.1080/09528822.2013.752200
Curtis, D. J., Reid, N., & Ballard, G. (2012, Haziran). Communicating Ecology Through Art: What Scientists Think. Ecology and Society, 17(2). https://www.jstor.org/stable/26269030 adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 20.07.2023)
Elfenbein, H. A., & Ambady, N. (2003). Universals and Cultural Differences in Recognizing Emotions. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 12(5), s. 159–164. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8721.0125 adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 12.08.2023)
Frohardt, R. (2020). The Plastic Bag Store. Robin Frohardt Web sitesi: http://www.robinfrohardt.com/plastic-bag-store-1 adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 23.09.2023)
Gablik, S. (1993). The Reenchantment of Art. New York: Thames and Hudson.
Glot. (2018). Selected for Ingram Prize. https://fionacampbellart.co.uk/blog/tag/eco+art+workshop adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 01.09.2023)
Hanson, D. T. (1984). Moma Web sitesi: https://www.moma.org/collection/works/46304 adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 06.05.2024)
Hanson, D. T. (1997). Late Twentıeth-Century Landscapes. David T. Hanson Web sitesi: https://www.davidthanson.net/late-twentieth-century-landscapes.html adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 09.09.2023)
Hargie, O., & Dickson, D. (2004). Skilled Interpersonal Communication: Research, Theory and Practice (4. b.). London: Routledge.
Kansky, R., & Barter, D. (2021). Pre-Congress Sessions. Conbio Web sitesi: https://conbio.org/mini-sites/iccb-2023/program/short-courses-1/ adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 02.10.2023)
Kansky, R., & Maassarani, T. (2022, Ocak 6). Teaching nonviolent communication to increase empathy between people and toward wildlife to promote human–wildlife coexistence. Society for Conservation Biology, 15(1).
Lauwrens, J. (2019, Ocak). Take a Hike: Fostering Environmental Values by Walking with Ecological Art. de arte, 54(1). doi:10.1080/00043389.2019.1611023
Leu, L. (2003). Nonviolent Communication Companion Workbook: A Practical Guide for Individual. Puddledancer Press.
Leu, L. (2015). Nonviolent Communication Companion Workbook. Puddledancer Press.
Marks, M., Chandler, L., & Baldwin, C. (2016, Ağustos). Environmental art as an innovative medium for environmental education in Biosphere Reserves. Environmental Education Research, 29(9), s. 1-15. doi:10.1080/13504622.2016.1214864
Mehrabian, A. (1981). Silent Messages: Implicit Communication of Emotions and Attitudes. Wadsworth: Belmont.
Mutlu, E. (1998). İletişim Sözlüğü. Ankara: Ark Yayınları.
Northouse, L., & Northouse, P. (1998). Health Communication-Strategies for Health Professionals. Stamford: Appleton & Lange.
NYC Tourism & Conventions. (2020). The Climate Museum. NYC The Official Guide Web sitesi: https://www.nycgo.com/museums-galleries/the-climate-museum/ adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 09.09.2023)
Rose, L. (2006, Ocak). Nonviolent Communication: A Tool for Working with Children Who Have Emotional or Behavioral Challenges.: General Music Today, 19(2), s. 35-36. doi:10.1177/10483713060190020110
Rosenberg, M. (1999). Nonviolent communication: A language of compassion. Encinitas: Puddle Dancer Press.
Rosenberg, M. B. (2019). Şiddetsiz İletişim Bir Yaşam Dili (18. b.). İstanbul: Remzi Kitabevi.
Sitzman, K. (2004, Haziran). Anger and the Use of Nonviolent Communication. Home Healthcare Nurse, 429.
Sullivan, D. (2007, Mart). Nonviolence Begins With Speech: An Interview with Emily Gaarder on the Practice of Nonviolent Communication. Contemporary Justice Review, 10(1), s. 131–142.
The Center for Nonviolent Communication. (2020). CNVC Web sitesi: https://www.cnvc.org/ adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 03.11.2023)
Tomsuk, E. E. (2022, Eylül). Beuys ve Doğa İlişkisi Bağlamında Sanatın İyileştirici Gücü. Ulak Bilge, 76, s. 907–. doi:10.7816/ulakbilge-10-76-01
Tutar, H., Yılmaz, M. K., & Erdönmez, C. (2003). Genel ve Teknik İletişim. Ankara: Nobel.
Ukeles, M. L. (1980). Touch Sanitation. Ronald Feldman Gallery Web sitesi: https://feldmangallery.com/exhibition/096-touch-sanitation-ukeles-9-9-10-5-1984 adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 03.11.2023)
Ukeles, M. L. (2021, Ekim). Touch Sanitation. WEAD Magazine, Women Eco Artists Dialogue Web sitesi: https://directory.weadartists.org/touch-sanitation adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 06.11.2023)
Vater, R. (1992). Art and Ecology || The Poetic and Mythologic Crossroads of Ecological Art. Art Journal, 51(2).
Wallen, R. (2012). Ecological Art: A Call for Visionary Intervention in a Time of Crisis. Leonardo, 45(3), s. 234–242. https://doi.org/10.1162/leon_a_00365 adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 21.06.2023)
Weintraub, L. (2012). To life! eco art in pursuit of a sustainable planet. California: University of California Press.
Wright, A. (2019). Emotional Intelligence: How To Use Nonviolent Communication To Skyrocket Your EQ: For Stress Relief, Effective Communication, Empathy, Overcoming Challenges, and Conflict Resolution. Independently published.

Share and Cite

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[1] Aydın, A. (2012). Land Art Project. Behance Web sitesi: https://www.behance.net/gallery/12843661/LAND-ART-PROJECT adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 01.07.2025)

[2] Beuys, J. (1990). What is Art: Conversations with Joseph Beuys. (Çev. V. Harlan). Forest Row: Clairview Books.

[3] Brunner, C., Nigro, R., & Raunig, G. (2013). Post-Media Activism, Social Ecology and Eco-Art. Third Text, 27(1), 10-16. doi:10.1080/09528822.2013.752200

[4] Curtis, D. J., Reid, N., & Ballard, G. (2012, Haziran). Communicating Ecology Through Art: What Scientists Think. Ecology and Society, 17(2). https://www.jstor.org/stable/26269030 adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 20.07.2023)

[5] Elfenbein, H. A., & Ambady, N. (2003). Universals and Cultural Differences in Recognizing Emotions. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 12(5), s. 159–164. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8721.0125 adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 12.08.2023)

[6] Frohardt, R. (2020). The Plastic Bag Store. Robin Frohardt Web sitesi: http://www.robinfrohardt.com/plastic-bag-store-1 adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 23.09.2023)

[7] Gablik, S. (1993). The Reenchantment of Art. New York: Thames and Hudson.

[8] Glot. (2018). Selected for Ingram Prize. https://fionacampbellart.co.uk/blog/tag/eco+art+workshop adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 01.09.2023)

[9] Hanson, D. T. (1984). Moma Web sitesi: https://www.moma.org/collection/works/46304 adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 06.05.2024)

[10] Hanson, D. T. (1997). Late Twentıeth-Century Landscapes. David T. Hanson Web sitesi: https://www.davidthanson.net/late-twentieth-century-landscapes.html adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 09.09.2023)

[11] Hargie, O., & Dickson, D. (2004). Skilled Interpersonal Communication: Research, Theory and Practice (4. b.). London: Routledge.

[12] Kansky, R., & Barter, D. (2021). Pre-Congress Sessions. Conbio Web sitesi: https://conbio.org/mini-sites/iccb-2023/program/short-courses-1/ adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 02.10.2023)

[13] Kansky, R., & Maassarani, T. (2022, Ocak 6). Teaching nonviolent communication to increase empathy between people and toward wildlife to promote human–wildlife coexistence. Society for Conservation Biology, 15(1).

[14] Lauwrens, J. (2019, Ocak). Take a Hike: Fostering Environmental Values by Walking with Ecological Art. de arte, 54(1). doi:10.1080/00043389.2019.1611023

[15] Leu, L. (2003). Nonviolent Communication Companion Workbook: A Practical Guide for Individual. Puddledancer Press.

[16] Leu, L. (2015). Nonviolent Communication Companion Workbook. Puddledancer Press.

[17] Marks, M., Chandler, L., & Baldwin, C. (2016, Ağustos). Environmental art as an innovative medium for environmental education in Biosphere Reserves. Environmental Education Research, 29(9), s. 1-15. doi:10.1080/13504622.2016.1214864

[18] Mehrabian, A. (1981). Silent Messages: Implicit Communication of Emotions and Attitudes. Wadsworth: Belmont.

[19] Mutlu, E. (1998). İletişim Sözlüğü. Ankara: Ark Yayınları.

[20] Northouse, L., & Northouse, P. (1998). Health Communication-Strategies for Health Professionals. Stamford: Appleton & Lange.

[21] NYC Tourism & Conventions. (2020). The Climate Museum. NYC The Official Guide Web sitesi: https://www.nycgo.com/museums-galleries/the-climate-museum/ adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 09.09.2023)

[22] Rose, L. (2006, Ocak). Nonviolent Communication: A Tool for Working with Children Who Have Emotional or Behavioral Challenges.: General Music Today, 19(2), s. 35-36. doi:10.1177/10483713060190020110

[23] Rosenberg, M. (1999). Nonviolent communication: A language of compassion. Encinitas: Puddle Dancer Press.

[24] Rosenberg, M. B. (2019). Şiddetsiz İletişim Bir Yaşam Dili (18. b.). İstanbul: Remzi Kitabevi.

[25] Sitzman, K. (2004, Haziran). Anger and the Use of Nonviolent Communication. Home Healthcare Nurse, 429.

[26] Sullivan, D. (2007, Mart). Nonviolence Begins With Speech: An Interview with Emily Gaarder on the Practice of Nonviolent Communication. Contemporary Justice Review, 10(1), s. 131–142.

[27] The Center for Nonviolent Communication. (2020). CNVC Web sitesi: https://www.cnvc.org/ adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 03.11.2023)

[28] Tomsuk, E. E. (2022, Eylül). Beuys ve Doğa İlişkisi Bağlamında Sanatın İyileştirici Gücü. Ulak Bilge, 76, s. 907–. doi:10.7816/ulakbilge-10-76-01

[29] Tutar, H., Yılmaz, M. K., & Erdönmez, C. (2003). Genel ve Teknik İletişim. Ankara: Nobel.

[30] Ukeles, M. L. (1980). Touch Sanitation. Ronald Feldman Gallery Web sitesi: https://feldmangallery.com/exhibition/096-touch-sanitation-ukeles-9-9-10-5-1984 adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 03.11.2023)

[31] Ukeles, M. L. (2021, Ekim). Touch Sanitation. WEAD Magazine, Women Eco Artists Dialogue Web sitesi: https://directory.weadartists.org/touch-sanitation adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 06.11.2023)

[32] Vater, R. (1992). Art and Ecology || The Poetic and Mythologic Crossroads of Ecological Art. Art Journal, 51(2).

[33] Wallen, R. (2012). Ecological Art: A Call for Visionary Intervention in a Time of Crisis. Leonardo, 45(3), s. 234–242. https://doi.org/10.1162/leon_a_00365 adresinden erişildi. (Erişim Tarihi: 21.06.2023)

[34] Weintraub, L. (2012). To life! eco art in pursuit of a sustainable planet. California: University of California Press.

[35] Wright, A. (2019). Emotional Intelligence: How To Use Nonviolent Communication To Skyrocket Your EQ: For Stress Relief, Effective Communication, Empathy, Overcoming Challenges, and Conflict Resolution. Independently published.

Published	1 January 2025
Version	v1
Access	Open Access

Published	1 January 2025
Version	v1
Access	Open Access

Reflections of nonviolent communication theory in art practices that generate ecological awareness

Abstract

References

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Reflections of nonviolent communication theory in art practices that generate ecological awareness

Abstract

References

Share and Cite

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