Can Art Influence Political Policy on the Environment?

Eco-Art seeks to influence environmental policy by changing the values and beliefs of audience members. Rolf Groven's painting, Oljemaleri, depicts a satirical warning about the paradox existing in Norwegian culture and environmental policy today. On one hand, the oil industry is a major source of wealth for Norwegians. Yet, on the other hand, conserving the sublime, untouched natural landscape is linked to patriotism. Groven warns that the oil industry is threatening Norway's most beautiful landscapes and, symbolically, Norway's cultural heritage. Open-ended interviews with Norwegians form a base of understanding about the importance of nature in Norwegian culture. Informants also discussed their perceptions of Norwegian environmental policy on a domestic and international level. Interviews with residents of the Hardangerfjord region and with the artist Rolf Groven were given particular attention for their relevance to both the artwork and the cultural landscape. The thesis seeks to evaluate the techniques Oljemaleri and other Eco-Artworks use to influence political policy, how audiences experience the artworks, and what they aim to change.