'Washed Ashore' is a new exhibit sponsored by South Coast Botanic Garden. It features sixteen sculptures created using plastic materials that have ended up in the ocean and subsequently landed on the seashore in Oregon. Each sculpture is accompanied by a sign, which among other things describes the mission of the organization:
"Washed Ashore is a non-profit organization that creates powerful art to teach about the growing problem of plastic pollution in oceans and waterways. Debris on this sculpture was collected from Oregon Coast beaches by volunteers and partner organizations. Each sculpture is created by artists and volunteers."
Each sign also includes a list of the plastic items included in a particular sculpture. These range from bottle caps, water bottles, beer cans and toothbrushes to toys, cell phones, knife handles, and fireworks. They also describe the impacts of plastics on the animals depicted in the sculptures and offer suggestions as to things visitors can do to diminish the impact of plastics on our environment.
As SCBG itself was built atop a sanitary landfill over sixty years ago, this match-up seems particularly appropriate. I've been critical of some of the events the garden has hosted in recent years but I wholeheartedly support this one. The fact that, during my mid-week visit, the garden was full of small children and their parents checking out the sculptures made me feel hopeful.
Bald Eagle
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| The sculptures are very big. This one looked to be the largest of them all. |
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| In addition to the sign, I've provided closeups of some of the materials used in creating them |
Jellyfish
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| The 2 jellyfish sculptures were heavy on water bottles and bottle caps |
Octopus
Otter
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| This sculpture is in the garden's entry courtyard so the shadows couldn't be avoided |
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| I'm guessing that the yellow-orange things that look like flowers are the "shotgun shell wads" referenced on the sign |
Parrotfish
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| I'm not familiar with these fish but apparently they are very colorful |
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| I couldn't spot a bowling pin but I understand it's in there somewhere |
Penguin
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| Some individuals (and companies) sponsored specific sculptures |
Puffin
Sea Lion
Seal
Shark (Great White)
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| The plastic car to the left of the sign was not part of the display but the irony of its presence wasn't lost to me |
Shark (Mako)
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| The sculptures were distributed throughout the garden, including the areas volunteers commonly refer to as the "back 40." (SCBG is 87 acres in size.) |
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| Shoes and flip-flop soles were common elements in many, if not most, of the sculptures |
Sturgeon
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| I don't think I want to know what is meant by the mention of a "goat" among the materials included in the debris used in this one |
Turtle
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| This Leatherback sea turtle is reportedly life-sized. And yes, they apparently eat jellyfish. |
Whale's Tail
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| This was one of 2 humpback whale tails |
I found all sixteen sculptures, although I've shared only fourteen photos as two animals were duplicated. If you're in the area and have children or grandchildren (even teens), I suggest paying a visit. There's another exhibit in Omaha, Nebraska and a gallery in Bandon, Oregon so those are other options.
I'm no doubt dating myself but, if you've ever seen the movie, The Graduate, starring Dustin Hoffman, maybe you remember the iconic line about plastic. If you haven't seen the movie or don't remember the line, here's a reminder:
The problems created by plastic pollution don't only impact animals in our oceans and waterways. The impacts are far-reaching. Microplastics now endanger human lives too (which you can read about here and here). The reference to "plastics" in 'The Graduate' was intended to a suggest a lucrative but unfulfilling career prospect. I don't expect that many people were concerned about overloading our environment with non-degradable substances that would affect their lives and the lives of future generations in more ways than they could imagine when the movie came out in 1967. Hopefully, members of future generations will find ways to collect, contain, and replace dangerous plastics but, in the meantime, we can all benefit from practicing behaviors that help to manage plastic products and limit the harm they do.
On that cheerful note, I hope you all enjoy a pleasant weekend.
All material © 2012-2023 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
The amount of plastic we use is astonishing, and the heaps that find its way to our oceans and beaches are demoralizing. The exhibit is very cool, a wonderful teaching tool, and it helps instill a little hope. Thanks for posting it.
ReplyDeleteChavli
I periodically think about ways to reduce the amount of plastic in our household but it's so damn hard. I'm taking all of Washed Ashore's suggestions to reduce their impact to heart though, including the one about cutting plastic rings before they're discarded, which is something I'd never thought of.
DeleteManufacturers must come up with a biodegradable / compostable alternatives on mass.
DeleteI agree. Sadly, I'm very suspicious of all the commitments manufacturers are making about changes they plan to implement by 2030 (or some other far-away date) without being transparent about what they have in the works to reach that goal.
DeleteVery wary of greenwashed biodegradable plastic. Needs to be hot composted. Collected separately, or it contaminates honest recyclable plastic. And, until it decomposes, it is just as much of a hazard to wildlife. Washed up on the seashore it puts the focus on trying to reduce our single use plastic.
DeletePlastic is so hard to avoid! I keep hearing promises from big companies about resolving the issue by 2030 but, as they don't provide any meaningful information about their interim progress, they're hard to take seriously. There are stores that offer refillable products but not many within a commutable distance.
DeleteThis is wonderful, and I hadn't heard about it. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, tz.
DeleteWow. The hours that must have went into those sculptures. What will happen to them when the show closes I wonder?
ReplyDeleteSince the Washed Ashore organization has a gallery in Bandon, OR and has shared its sculptures with other entities (like it's currently doing with SCBG and another host in Omaha, Nebraska), I expect the sculptures will be passed along to other organizations.
DeleteThat looks a most interesting and thought provoking exhibition Kris. So much work must have gone into creating the exhibits as well as setting it all up. Hopefully it will make visitors stop and think.
ReplyDeleteI understand that the size of the sculptures surprised even SCBG when they were brought in on huge trucks. Getting them in place couldn't have been easy but at least no one is likely to try making off with one as a souvenir ;) I just hope that their message gets stored in the minds of all the kids I saw checking them out.
DeleteWhat an incredible and astonishing exhibit, Kris. Plastic pollution is a sobering reality and one that is being ignored by the powers that be. Sadly, a very small percentage of plastic produced gets recycled. God help us!
ReplyDeleteThe prevalence of plastic is overwhelming. It's nearly impossible to avoid it but I'm glad to see an organization raising the red flag in such a creative way. Hopefully, it'll have an impact on the next generation if those currently in positions of power are deaf, dumb and blind.
DeleteI've never been able to understand the value in these works. To me they do not illustrate the problem at all. Photographs of beaches covered in garbage, or marine wildlife strangled by plastic--the sea turtle with a straw stuck up it's nose is a memorable image--would be much more impactful.
ReplyDeleteEvery day on our dog walks we pick up plastic garbage and dispose of it properly because from our neighborhood plastic garbage goes straight to the ocean. Maybe kids need to see some ugly to realize what is happening.
I think a range of approaches is generally useful in driving messages home, HB. I know I was deeply affected by the widely distributed photo of a straw stuck in a sea turtle's nose but I wonder how many children saw that photo, or how many parents chose to share it with them. This may be a gentler way to educate kids - and their parents - but I think it can be just as compelling and memorable. How people learn and what messages stick with people vary.
DeleteWhat a fun way to educate people about the issues with plastics. We watched a documentary on how small coves all up the BC coastline are so jammed packed with plastic and other refuse you can almost walk across it. Sad thing to leave to the next generations. Hopefully this exhibit will get people to reconsider purchasing things made of or wrapped in plastic.
ReplyDeleteMost people don't change their behavior overnight but hopefully messages of all kinds help to shift their direction over time.
DeleteOh, cool! Thanks for sharing the highlights. So much creativity!
ReplyDeleteIt was well done, Beth!
DeleteNot my thing, but I wholeheartedly support the idea of turning trash into something so creative.
ReplyDeleteI just hope the message gets through to kids and adult visitors as well, Gerhard. The volume of plastic out there is incredible and its environmental impacts are very scary.
DeleteIncredible creativity. I hold on to a lot of things, hoping to make something with them in the future, but never seem to get to it. I certainly don't have enough talent or stuff to make anything like this though (not that I want a giant sculpture in my garden either). My style is more rusty rustic.
ReplyDeleteMuch as I appreciated the message - and creativity - of the plastic sculptures, I wouldn't want something like that in my garden either, Jerry. However, I can fully support a temporary exhibit in a public garden that makes a point in an effort to influence the future behavior of the public.
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