The power of an artist is to make truth so poignant, that their work of art creates a lasting impression on the viewer's mind. Artists are meant to shape the world through their creations and mould it to become a better environment where freedom of thought and real communication can be disseminated through art and the universal language of realism. One of such environment loving artists is Bandana Jain, Founder, Sylvn Studio who ran a campaign “Throw it to Grow it” to address the ocean plastic pollution. The artist created a public art- a giant Christmas Tree made out of 700 recycled polythene bags under a CSR initiative. Ms. Jain, who won 'Young Sustainability Champ' award at WADe Asia 2018, shared with SURFACES REPORTER (SR) in detail about this thought-provoking installation and its significance. Have an interesting read:

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A satirical visual of the landfill

The ace artist- Bandana Jain- installed a massive Christmas Tree at the time of the Christmas festivities to evoke a sense of awakening among the people about the adverse effects of plastic. The installation aims to lifts humanity and challenges the individual who encounters it, to think differently about our planet! It represents a satirical visual of the landfill with the help of the blown plastic bags. 700 recycled polythene bags were collected and filled with ocean water with a hint of sand, gutter water to replicate an idea of ocean plastic.

The installation narrates the complete lifecycle of these plastic bags. These bags end up in our sewage that is later carried to our oceans and seas, in the end becoming a part of the food chain. Every plastic bag filled with water aims to represent a waterbody on our planet.

“ An average bag is used for 12 minutes and degrades after 1000 years. Imagine if a single person’s waste can build a tree out of it, how long would it take for us to build a plastic forest? Single-use plastic pollution is devastating to our rivers. oceans, waterways, and communities around the world."- Bandana Jain

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Key facts about Plastic Pollution

• 160,000 plastic bags are used globally every second! 

• 5 trillion plastic bags are produced yearly. Side by side, they can encircle the world 7 times.

• The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is a floating landfill of garbage in the Pacific twice the size of Texas, is mostly composed of plastic.

• In 2008, a sperm whale was found beached in California. It died due to the more than 22 kilos of plastic found in its stomach.

• Plastic will only start degrading after 700 years and will only fully degrade in 1000 years. This means that all the plastic that has ever been produced has not degraded yet.

• Plastic bags remain toxic even after it breaks down. It doesn’t biodegrade, it photo-degrades. It means that after it degrades, it breaks down into smaller and smaller toxic bits of itself – and bleeds and contaminates the environment.

• Only 1 to 3% of plastic bags are recycled worldwide.

• Plastic bags cause the death of many marine animals when they are mistaken for food.

• Over 44% of all seabirds have ingested or become entangled in plastic

Plastic has become a major environmental issue our planet is facing and it is time we all should do something to raise awareness of the alarming profusion of plastic waste in our environment. A large number of artists worldwide are doing their bit to bring the issue of plastic pollution to the forefront.

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The Artist’s Perspective

Bandana says, “The way we use plastic in our daily life, without thinking twice is insane. It needs a lot of such campaigns where brands should be involved in this initiative for such awareness drive. As the overall cost of such practices is way too high than our anticipation.”

Bandana further shares, “Art as a creative form can bring an alternative perspective and voice to many CSR initiatives. Public art illustrates it in a much better fashion, with hundreds of CSR initiatives. It is one of the best means of communication to a broader audience without creating a lot of chaos around the same.”

“Places with strong public art expressions break the trend of blandness and sameness and give communities a stronger sense of place and identity,” she further added.

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The Power of Art

Creative thinkers and makers bring joy, involvement, and inspiration to their communities, but they also offer a careful criticism of our political, economic, and social processes, pushing communities to participate thoughtfully and take steps towards social change.

Artists have long been associated with the challenges of responding to the world around them, to provide alternative literacy to people without a voice. Many artists take up causes they believe in and devote their entire life to them. It is not an easy task at hand, portraying the truth to the world, via their artworks. It also makes them vulnerable and open to so much criticism.

An artist has the power, skills, and creativity to influence society and Bandana has artistically and emotionally depicted the influence that plastic trash is having on the environment.  According to her, “Art that explicitly uses metaphors includes both consciously and subconsciously participants and helps to promote the opening up of more possibilities for a diversity of interpretation. Art is about connecting with people’s emotions. It’s personal and at the same time, universal.”

Also Read: Marine-Grade Concrete Reinforced with Recycled Plastic Fibres to Build Eco-Friendly Seawall by Volvo

SURFACES REPORTER (SR) knows that it is going to take a long time to successfully address the rising worldwide plastic crisis. But the most crucial thing is that we all should come together to do our part to ensure a better world for future generations. We appreciate Bandana Jain and several other artists who have taken notice to create their artworks using plastic as a medium for spreading awareness.

About Bandana Jain

Bandana Jain is a contemporary artist working with a very unconventional medium Corrugated Cardboard. She founded Sylvn Studio in 2013 and currently holds the positions of Director and Chief Product Designer in the firm. She shares a deep concern for the environment and believes that India needs to be more sensitive about issues like global warming.

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