Sea of Changes: A Bioplastic Revolution
Seas of Change: A Bioplastic Revolution explores and honors sea creatures and precious aquatic ecosystems. Growing up, I had the opportunity to work at the Pacuare Sea Turtle Reserve in Costa Rica, where I gained a newfound appreciation for sea turtles and learned about how climate change threatens their survival. Using an agar and gelatin-based bioplastic to create the shell of the turtle helps counter the narrative of long-lasting oil-based materials that poison turtles. By using alternative materials, my work envisions a different future without synthetic and ecologically harmful plastic. The turtle shell is inscribed with poignant quotes about the climate crisis and the risks it poses to marine life, taken from the 2020 documentary "The New Corporation," directed by Joel Bakan. I selected quotes that spoke to the relentless greed and plastic production that intensifies and contributes to the climate crisis and pollution which endangers sea turtles. We must recognize that we are caretakers of our planet and push back against the sea of pollution from the petrochemical industry that puts profit ahead of mother nature.
Materials: Bioplastic (gelatin, water, glycerin, agar, potato starch. spirulina), Wooden dowels, Alcohol-based marker ink, Aluminum Wire (suspension), Hot Glue - (resin and oils)
Creation Year: 2024
Size: 2ft width
Photography by Tian Yang