Paper short abstract:

Through a discussion of the striking images in Japanese director Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams’ stories, in this presentation I reflect on how artistic engagements can allow us to craft collaboratively sustainable futures.

Paper long abstract:

Post-apocalyptic scenarios, radioactive flowers and deformed bodies, orange powders coming out of nuclear stations, post-war scenes of destruction and madness, disappearing cherry blossoms, a village that has found the perfect synergy between culture and nature. These are only some of the striking images in Japanese director Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams’ stories. While these are presented to the viewer as dreams, they are clear reflections on the future, with recurrent references to historical events, such as Japan’s involvement in the Second World War and the chemical war against Vietnam. In one of the dreams, the director meets Van Gogh and walks with him within one of his painting, ticking the eye to the viewer and bringing them to reflect on the role of artists in ‘creating’ the world. Starting from a discussion of Kurosawa’s work, its messages and its resonance, this presentation invites to reflect on the role of artists in shaping local imaginaries and promote sustainability. It will consider collaborative artistic methodologies to express local imagination, the role of the past in articulating ideas of future, and how local media (whether in institutional or alternative forms) shape emic imaginaries. Ultimately, we will reflect on how artistic engagements can allow us to craft collaboratively sustainable futures.