In my theoretical work, I explored the social responsibility of artists with regard to sustainable action. It was triggered by a quote from Ernst Fischer: Art is allowed do everything. However, can art function so unsustainably that it makes it impossible for future generations to still be permitted to do everything?

My approach was as follows: First, I presented the history of the idea of sustainability. Then I brought art into relation with nature and society. Systemic and complex thinking were key elements for situating art in our society. The thought experiment Schrödinger’s cat offered central arguments for the climate crisis as a wicked problem. It is only through the cooperation of all disciplines (transdisciplinarity) that a solution is conceivable. Finally, I considered four artists and their projects so as to explain and compare different artistic approaches and their sustainable artistic work in practice.