This Mortal Plastik / Event 2

 May 13th, 2022

        The world as we know it today is made of plastic. Our oceans, our supermarkets, and even bodies are filled with trillions and trillions of non-degradable microplastics through consumption and waste. But, it hasn't always been this way. As exclaimed in the eye-opening documentary, This Mortal Plastik directed by Jesse Irish, plastic wasn't invented until the 1800s by British chemist Alexander Parkes. Due to the decline of the Blue Whale by overfishing, Parkes sought an alternative to replace the once valuable whale oil. This whale oil was once vital for fueling oil lamps, cooking, and even transportation. By learning more about the rich history of plastic, one can grasp the importance of plastic in our present-day society. Unfortunately, plastic is detrimental to our society in a variety of ways.

  Plastic fills landfills, takes thousands of years to degrade, causes irreversible health risks including cancer, kills wildlife when consumed and wrapped around wildlife necks, and much more. Through my involvement with Heal the Bay of Hermosa Beach, I have a first-hand perspective of just how scary mass production of plastic is. In about 30 mins of picking up trash, a clean-up person can fill a trash bag worth of junk. These items are often disposed of on the beach, disposed of through sewer systems that end up in the ocean, and even off ships and aircraft. Items found on the beach can include just about anything from syringes to used tampons to Coca-Cola cans. In relation to DESMA 9, many artists have used plastics and other wastes to make amazing works of art.

One of my favorite plastic artists would have to be Aurora Robson. Aurora uses a variety of different recycled plastic materials including water bottles, food containers, and boxes to make beautiful works of art. Some would refer to her as an "Environmental Artist", but I would include Environmental Advocate to her title. She does a lot towards recycling awareness and even some of her art proceeds go to groups that help with trash clean up and alternative sustainability investments.

Work Cited

Ajudua, Christine. “Artist Aurora Robson on Making Art from Cast-off Plastic.” Artnet News, Artnet News, 20 Mar. 2022, https://news.artnet.com/art-world/aurora-robson-interview-2079525.

Cardill, Glenn. “Gallery: Artwork by Aurora Robson.” WWF, World Wildlife Fund, https://www.worldwildlife.org/magazine/issues/summer-2017/articles/gallery-artwork-by-aurora-robson.

Cooke, Doug. “Heal the Bay.” Do Good LA, https://www.dogoodla.org/heal-the-bay.

Davis, John. “Plastic Art: Definition & Meaning.” Plastic Art: Definition: Sculpture, Ceramics, Goldsmithing, http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/definitions/plastic-art.htm.

Dunseith, Les. “UCLA Study on Plastic Waste in L.A. County Will Inform Ordinance.” UCLA Luskin, 25 Jan. 2022, https://luskin.ucla.edu/ucla-study-on-plastic-waste-in-l-a-county-will-inform-ordinance.

Irish, Jesse. “Film - This Mortal Plastik.” This Mortal Plastik - a Film by Jess Irish, 14 Oct. 2021, http://thismortalplastik.com/.

Lee, Chermaine. “Could Plastic Roads Make for a Smoother Ride?” BBC Future, BBC, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210302-could-plastic-roads-make-for-a-smoother-ride.