'Thrown to the Wind' by Wang Zhiyuan is an enormous, 36 foot art sculpture made entirely from trash. It also looks like a colorful tornado, and is made with a collection of plastic bottles, bags and other objects that can't be decomposed.
Although this is a fascinating piece of art, it resembles a deeper and more meaningful issue. It's interesting to gaze upon this beautiful piece, but Beijing-based artist Zhiyuan created this sculpture to represent the avalanche of garbage that's flowing over in his hometown, taking over the beauty of nature.
Thrown to the Wind is both art and an indication of today's global issues. Zhiyuan states on his website, “I want my art to be about something bigger than me. If it wasn’t involved in society I would feel guilty.”
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Upcycling Art
- Creating art from recycled materials can provide an opportunity for artists and entrepreneurs to showcase their creativity while also raising awareness for environmental issues.
- Sustainable Design
- Creating functional products and structures that minimize the use of non-biodegradable materials can provide a disruptive solution to responsible waste management.
- Environmental Activism Art
- Using art as a vehicle for raising awareness and igniting change on environmental issues can provide a platform for artists and creatives to contribute to social and environmental impact beyond traditional activism methods.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Art
- Creating art with recycled materials can provide a new outlet for artists to showcase their creativity and serve as a viable business opportunity for art entrepreneurs.
- Waste Management
- Innovative and sustainable waste management solutions can be developed from repurposing materials and reducing landfill waste.
- Environmental Activism
- Using art as a way to engage individuals and communities in environmental activism can complement traditional advocacy efforts and promote greater social and environmental impact.
