The Story of the Art Project: The Ocean of Plastic

In a collaboration with visiting artist and PPC founder Dianna Cohen, 200 elementary students at the Benjamin Franklin International School in Barcelona are creating a 3×7 m ocean made out of recycled plastic bags.  It is hand-sewn together into a quilt-like 2D form which hangs easily from handles on the top.

Dianna Cohen, artist and co-founder of the Plastic Pollution Coalition, has been working with plastic bags for twenty years to create art that is both aesthetic and that creates a dialogue about the current threats to ocean health.  Together with the elementary art teacher, Ellie Kreischer, they are inspiring the students to discuss these topics by asking questions such as: Where does our trash go? How does plastic pollution affect ocean health? How can we reduce the use of plastics in our daily life?  How can art help us communicate about this issue?

Over the course of four weeks, students are creating sea life from plastic bags; from whales to schools of fish, seaweed to corals, crabs and lobsters.  Through referencing books, models, and even a trip to see the film “Oceans,” students are creating realistic depictions of these creatures.  This creation process has been documented through both film and still photos.

The plastic ocean brings together the disciplines of science and art. A presentation of this art installation allows a collaboration in which the students and the artwork talk about many issues simultaneously. Watch the video of the project!

We are very excited to present the Ocean of Plastic at Museu Agbar with the opening reception on Tuesday June 8th World Ocean day,  and the exhibition up through the weekend for the public to come and see.