Art vs Pollution

Just a brief post, and I'll start us off with a photo and captain part of a display I saw in the UCL North Cloisters.

Witches Knickers

Miss Ulijona Odisarija
Slade School of Fine Art

"Disposable plastic bags trapped in the trees phenomenon is sometimes called "witches knickers" or "urban tumbleweed" and is a big issue with the waste, as it takes from 10 to 20 years for a bag to decompose. Trees with trapped bags can often be found around big supermarkets, and when it's more than one, it starts to look intentional as if the tree was decorated or the bags are strange toxin blossoms. I collected a few disposable bags and adorned a tree in the country side with them, mimicking the ones seen in urban environments. Photographed against the sun the bags became illuminated and kewel life, making a beautiful image out of something that's considered ugly, dull, misplaced and unwanted.



I'm finding it really interesting (and innovative) how different people are using littered plastic items in art. This is first and foremost to draw attention to their presence - and the detrimental effects of that presence.

http://grist.org/living/these-artists-turn-ocean-trash-into-really-classy-art/
The link above shows some famous artwork comprised of plastics recovered from the sea. Some of the exhibits are actually really aethetically pleasing.

Source: Mandy Barker

However I'm finding it a little bit unnerving that I like the look of these photos - that I find them beautiful. I think that's the point. It's drawn my attention, but it's also uncomfortable because these items do not belong in the ocean. Some others have called it 'haunting'. I agree.

http://www.boredpanda.com/beach-waste-sculptures-plastic-overuse-washed-ashore/
This is a final link - this time it isn't paintings but actual sculptures comprised of plastic soup material. Again, pretty cool, pretty attractive, and definitely got some media attention toward the problems of plastic soup.