The word “sustainability” has been frequently mentioned and applied, and has long since taken on a new meaning. We made this exhibition with “sustainability” and its extended meaning, as the first concentrated voice of the residency center on “sustainability”.
In order to enrich more expressions of “sustainability” and collect the extended meaning of different directions as practical investigations, we invited people from different fields to act as “sustainable” observers,and then let’s take a closer look and listen to the voices of “sustainable” observers.
Chen Jianjun Artist, interdisciplinary researcher
“Sustainability” must be discussed within the specific context of local practices before we can meaningfully address it. Discussing this concept unconditionally and without restrictions is a method that should be questioned.
Chat GPT
“Sustainability” usually involves a balance between environmental protection, economic benefits and social justice. The goal of sustainable development is to create a long-term prosperous world in the environment, economy and society.
Du Hang Expert, Tencent Group, ESG Coordination Office / X Lead, Finance Line Investment and M&A Management Department
Sustainability is a beautiful vision of clear waters and green mountains for future generations, and a romantic narrative of civilization as depicted by writers. From my personal perspective, sustainability means the foundation of our good life, the premise upon which we enjoy convenience.
Dieter Detzner Artist, based and living in Berlin
For me, sustainability is when things are in balance. This applies to everything such as art, nature, interpersonal relationships, work, …
I believe that we can only achieve this balance if we bring ourselves into balance.
Feng Xiao Founder of “Xiao Ya Ga Ga” charity organization / Secretary General of the Asia Environmental Innovation Forum (AEIF)
In my view, “sustainability” means envisioning the kind of beautiful world you want your descendants to live in and starting now to make efforts towards that vision.
Yusaku Imamura Professor, Tokyo University of the Arts
This is the challenge facing Asia today. I hope that we can work together to address and overcome this problem in Asia.
Lu Yuxi Head of the Swiss Cultural Foundation Shanghai Office
When the concept of sustainability is raised, it indicates that we have actually exploited this planet to the point of unsustainability. Has any other species ever pushed itself to such an extent?
Mafi Espirito Santo Artist, Cultural Commissioner of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Chongqing and Beijing
Sustainable practices encourage mindful consumption, renewable energy adoption, and waste reduction to combat environmental degradation.
By integrating sustainability through creative expression movements, art can intersect profoundly.
Artists can influence attitudes and behaviors, fostering a more conscious and eco-friendly society. Artists can use their creativity to raise awareness about environmental issues, conservation, sustainable practices and lifestyle. Both sustainability and social awareness work together to build a better future for all.
Shen Changkun Organizer of TEDxChengdu
“Sustainability,” for a specific individual or group, is a description of continuing a certain rule-based game without formal authorization. For a specific phenomenon or event, it is a term that expresses the desire to maintain a certain state for as long as possible.
Yamano Shingo Director of the Higashimachi Regional Management Center
Even in opposition, adopting an attitude of mutual learning, rather than blindly pursuing agreement or integration, this kind of educative relationship is what I consider a practical method for sustainable development.
Vivian Director of Brand Promotion, Chengdu Shishiwa Education Group
“Ten years to grow trees, a hundred years to educate people.” Sustainability is a systemic vitality, a friend of time. It is like fertile soil, inspiring the spontaneous growth of life, supporting cycles of renewal, and embracing every state of living beings.
Wan Chun Sustainable Partner, IKEA
“Sustainability” can be described as the recyclable ecological chain of nature. Unfortunately, the continuous development of human society and the artificial destruction of the natural ecological chain have put our planet in crisis. Therefore, it is necessary for everyone to adopt a “sustainable lifestyle” to regain the norms of behavior we have lost, allowing natural ecosystems to regenerate and making the Earth a better place.
Xiang Jie 1% for the Planet Coordinator, Patagonia Chengdu Area
Sustainability is a perpetual state or process, and more importantly, an action that meets current needs while reducing resource consumption, achieving harmony and symbiosis between humans and nature.
Xu Keqi Student, Chengdu Shishiwa Xindu Wulongshan School
I believe that sustainability involves reimagining and recreating something, fostering innovative development and creative transformation. Then, integrating this new creation as a form of the new era into the current trends, allowing it to be understood and accepted by the masses. This, in turn, enables it to contribute to the activities of the new era.
Yan Ping Sustainable Partner, IKEA
Sustainability is a way of caring for humanity and the Earth, requiring us to actively conserve energy, starting with small actions in our daily lives that can influence more lives. By protecting the Earth’s ecology, we can also lead better everyday lives.
