# Plastic Bag Photography Glass Bags by Julie Brookman Explores Trash's Timeless Existence By Amelia Roblin | Published 2011-03-12 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glass-bags-by-julie-brookman References: [treehugger](http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/03/artist-finds-beauty-in-surprising-subject-plastic-bags-slideshow.php) & [juliebrookman](http://www.juliebrookman.com/projects/Glass_Bags.html) Marcel Duchamp was one of the first figures to make garbage into art, and Glass Bags by Julie Brookman shows a contemporary comparison. Like many, the artist is sensitive to the way humans have negatively impacted the earth with trash that refuses to break down. Plastic grocery bags, along with plastic bottles, have become symbols of that irreversible damage that results not only from the manufacturing of such synthetic items, but also in the careless disposal of them. Using blown glass sculptures to mimic the inflated and twisting look of airborne carriers, the artistic activist arranges her pieces across beautiful landscapes before photographing them. Glass Bags by Julie Brookman is essentially a study of manmade and human-introduced environmental problems. The images she composes instantly become simultaneously beautiful and loathsome. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 57% | Activity: 41% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Environmental Activism:** Glass Bags by Julie Brookman highlights the need for environmental activism in addressing manmade environmental problems. - **Upcycled Art:** By transforming plastic grocery bags into blown glass sculptures, Glass Bags by Julie Brookman taps into the trend of upcycling and repurposing materials. - **Contradictory Beauty:** The juxtaposition of beauty and loathsomeness in Glass Bags by Julie Brookman reflects the trend of contradictory aesthetics in contemporary art. ### Where This Applies - **Art and Design:** Glass Bags by Julie Brookman showcases the potential for innovation and creativity in the art and design industry through the use of unconventional materials and themes. - **Environmental Conservation:** The photographs of Glass Bags by Julie Brookman call attention to the urgent need for innovation in the environmental conservation industry to address the issue of plastic waste. - **Sustainable Fashion:** Glass Bags by Julie Brookman inspires disruption within the sustainable fashion industry by reimagining and transforming plastic bags into elegant sculptures. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Crystal-Adorned Crushed Cans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sam-keller.md) - [Plastic-Exploring Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/everlasting-plastics.md) - [Grocery Bag Runway Accessory](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/march-packable-tote-bag.md) - [Digital Archetype Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christian-rex-van-minnen-1.md) - [Artwork-Adorned Reusable Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reusable-bag-campaign.md) - [Ceramic Waste Carafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sungai-carafe.md) - [Iconic Bag-Inspired Art Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/big-birk.md) - [Upcycled Plastic Furniture Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crafting-plastic.md) - [Sophisticated Upcycled Home Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/basket-sculptures.md)