ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COOPERATION FOR LANDSCAPE

Speaking about landscape in social terms requires considering its modification processes. Recalling the well-known philosopher and poet Thoreau’s sentence and transferring the idea of landscape into the 21st century, it is obvious to achieve such conclusions similar to those identified by the Anglo-Saxon artist Banksy, who in his street art, bridging photography, painting, and process, ironizes and denounces many social problems and ties down them to the man-made landscape. He has created many works expressly on environmental subjects through graffiti and sculpture. In the here reproduced picture, Banksy transfigures a Monetstyle landscape by adding human waste, or in other cases, abandoned cars. He envisions “… going to look for old landscape prints and creating… additions like factories that pollute the sky and trees that have been cut down, etc.”1
Indeed, in the present era, speaking of landscape means considering it no longer merely as an object of vision and perception, but as a complex structure which could harmonize with human and natural aspects, rather than create disharmony and dissonance between the latter. It is clear that this new conception of landscape previews a peaceful and respectful coexistence between societies and populations, whether animal, human, or plant.
The connection with sustainability visions is thus made evident; the term “sustainable” has often been misused but remains inextricably paired to the idea of “environmental care.”
The only way to achieve peaceful coexistence is therefore linked to the practice of cooperation: it is not simply the assistance given to less wealthy countries (often in the southern hemisphere with vast natural resources and a limited or no role in managing international, financial, social, and political affairs), but rather dwells in the development of activities shared by different social groups aimed at developing activities and achieving results that can satisfy and benefit everyone.