The Role of Contemporary art in promoting Environmental Citizenship to contribute to the sustainability of Saudi Arabia's Natural Heritage

(Mangrove forests as an example)

Abstract

The study aimed to examine environmental citizenship and its role in achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 related to environmental protection, conservation of natural resources, and sustainability for future generations. It highlighted the importance of mangrove forests as a vital component of Saudi Arabia’s natural heritage and emphasized the need to sustain them as a rare coastal ecological system, also explored the impact of contemporary art in shaping environmental awareness and encouraging positive environmental behavior and responsibility among citizens through the aesthetic influence of environmental artworks, it's adopted a descriptive–analytical approach for the theoretical framework and an applied methodology through the researcher’s self-directed experimental practice. This practice involved a series of contemporary environmental art installations that focused on the aesthetic qualities of mangrove trees, their distinctive root systems, and their ecological significance as natural habitats for diverse organisms. The research tested the hypothesis that contemporary artworks can contribute to the sustainability of Saudi natural heritage, particularly mangrove forests, by enhancing environmental citizenship within society. The findings indicated that incorporating mangrove aesthetics into contemporary artworks generates effective artistic and awareness-raising impact and promotes an internal sense of responsibility among individuals toward conservation and sustainability.