Impact of Paintings Made from Waste Materials from a Particular Region on Viewers’ Behavioral Intention Regarding Social and Environmental Issues

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze how future landscape paintings using paints and binders made from the waste materials of a particular region and the background information of these artworks affect viewers’ behavioral intentions regarding social and environmental issues. First, 30 beauty evaluation items were extracted by a repertory grid analysis. Then, we asked participants to view the artworks at an exhibition in order to determine the impact of the background information behind the painting and the painting itself on participants’ imagination of the future, reconsidering themselves, social and environmental issues, and their behavioral intentions. The results showed that viewing paintings with their background information and using paints made of waste materials from a particular region improved participants’ behavioral intentions to imagine the future, to reconsider themselves, and to reconsider social and environmental issues. The elements of beauty of the paintings were found to have the potential to trigger the first step toward lifestyle change for sustainability.