Artist Julia Barton is continuing the COP26 Climate Crisis story with LOST, an immersive Climate Action Exhibition at Eden Court (May 15 - Jun 12) that aims to show how plastic pollution directly contributes to our Climate Crisis. The exhibition will feature a collection of 18 #LitterCUBES plus a film projection that will play throughout illustrating the dripping-away of 100 litres of oil, visually representing the lost energy embodied in the #LitterCUBES.
We asked Julia to tell us more about the exhibition and her creative process.
The exhibition is the culmination of 4 years work, which has now led me into exploring plastic recycling methods and experimenting making seaweed bio-plastics. I look forward to sharing these ideas in both the exhibition and two free Climate Action events.
I believe that art can and does make a difference and whenever possible I like to share the process of making my work and to devise ways of involving members of the public.
Hundreds of people in Ullapool, Shetland, Arbroath, Dunbar and Eyemouth took part in 2019 collecting Plastic Beach Litter and threading and weaving materials together to make the #LitterCUBES which are a central part of the LOST exhibition here in Eden Court.
The practical making sessions which took part around harbours, on beaches, in boat sheds, colleges and schools provided multiple, perfect opportunities to discuss the issue of Plastic pollution, its use of fossil fuels, the climate crisis, recycling, and climate actions we can take and share with each other in a relaxed way.
I am looking forward to showing my LOST exhibition and to inviting the Highland community to join me in two free interactive Climate Action events focusing on RECYCLING in the Highlands with colleagues from Plastic@Bay and Green Hive and making alternative sustainable plastics out of seaweed!
This blog was written by:
With thanks to The Pebble Trust and Creative Carbon Scotland.
RECYCLE - World Environment Day: Sun 5 Jun, 4 - 6pm Eden Court
Julia will lead a tour around the LOST exhibition and show the Ocean Plastic Skipping Ropes she and the event collaborators are making.
Julien Moreau from Plastic@Bay, Durness will share their idea for Decentralised Community Recycling in the Highlands. Andy MacVicar from GreenHive,Nairn, will explain the recyclability of different types of plastics.
We will make a map of where each Single Use Plastic item is likely to end up in the world for recycling, incineration or burial. Participants will be able to suggest any products we need in the Highlands, that could be made out of recycled plastic. Register now.
MAKE - World Ocean Day Event: Wed 8 Jun 4-6pm, Cromarty Cinema Beach
Julia will lead an exciting hands-on workshop on the beach, encouraging people to experiment making bio-plastics from seaweed collected from the beach and food waste.
Julia has been investigating marine plastic pollution and seaweed along our shorelines for over 8 years – and encouraging people to take part in her work and public engagement events.