Graduate student Katie May Boyd makes use of plastic waste in a unique way with the Foreign Garbage installation. Boyd creates a plethora of beckoning cats out of molds filled with waste plastic gathered from Central Saint Martins over a nine month period. She wants to draw focus on the inefficient plastic waste processes and shows it through the Japanese Maneki-neko cat. The specific cat was chosen due to its mass production in China, and Boyd wanted to represent that sense of overproduction.
The Foreign Garbage installation draws attention to the disposal of expanded polystyrene by delivering an alternative way to create deflated polystyrene. To create the cat structures, she begins by dissolving the waste with chemicals and recasts them in molds. Dissolving was the ideal technique for the installation because alternative methods such as melting, sheet formation and cuts would create waste.
Plastic Waste-Made Installations
Katie May Boyd Creates the Foreign Garbage Installation
Trend Themes
1. Plastic Waste-driven Art - Opportunity for artists to create unique, thought-provoking installations using plastic waste as a medium.
2. Sustainable Waste Processing - Innovative methods of dissolving and reusing plastic waste offer more efficient and eco-friendly waste processing solutions.
3. Cultural Significance in Art - Exploring the representation of cultural symbols, such as the Japanese Maneki-neko cat, through art installations can create meaningful dialogue on mass production and overconsumption.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Design - Artists and designers can harness the potential of plastic waste and its cultural significance to create visually impactful installations.
2. Waste Management - Companies involved in waste management can explore innovative techniques like chemical dissolution to transform plastic waste into new materials or products.
3. Environmental Advocacy - Organizations focused on environmental advocacy can collaborate with artists and designers to raise awareness about plastic waste and promote sustainable practices.