'Washed Ashore' is a new exhibit sponsored by South Coast Botanic Garden. It features sixteen sculptures created using plastic materials that have ended up in the ocean and subsequently landed on the seashore in Oregon. Each sculpture is accompanied by a sign, which among other things describes the mission of the organization:
"Washed Ashore is a non-profit organization that creates powerful art to teach about the growing problem of plastic pollution in oceans and waterways. Debris on this sculpture was collected from Oregon Coast beaches by volunteers and partner organizations. Each sculpture is created by artists and volunteers."
Each sign also includes a list of the plastic items included in a particular sculpture. These range from bottle caps, water bottles, beer cans and toothbrushes to toys, cell phones, knife handles, and fireworks. They also describe the impacts of plastics on the animals depicted in the sculptures and offer suggestions as to things visitors can do to diminish the impact of plastics on our environment.
As SCBG itself was built atop a sanitary landfill over sixty years ago, this match-up seems particularly appropriate. I've been critical of some of the events the garden has hosted in recent years but I wholeheartedly support this one. The fact that, during my mid-week visit, the garden was full of small children and their parents checking out the sculptures made me feel hopeful.
Bald Eagle
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| The sculptures are very big. This one looked to be the largest of them all. |
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| In addition to the sign, I've provided closeups of some of the materials used in creating them |
Jellyfish
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| The 2 jellyfish sculptures were heavy on water bottles and bottle caps |
Octopus
Otter
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| This sculpture is in the garden's entry courtyard so the shadows couldn't be avoided |
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| I'm guessing that the yellow-orange things that look like flowers are the "shotgun shell wads" referenced on the sign |
Parrotfish
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| I'm not familiar with these fish but apparently they are very colorful |
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| I couldn't spot a bowling pin but I understand it's in there somewhere |
Penguin
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| Some individuals (and companies) sponsored specific sculptures |
Puffin
Sea Lion
Seal
Shark (Great White)
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| The plastic car to the left of the sign was not part of the display but the irony of its presence wasn't lost to me |
Shark (Mako)
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| The sculptures were distributed throughout the garden, including the areas volunteers commonly refer to as the "back 40." (SCBG is 87 acres in size.) |
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| Shoes and flip-flop soles were common elements in many, if not most, of the sculptures |
Sturgeon
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| I don't think I want to know what is meant by the mention of a "goat" among the materials included in the debris used in this one |
Turtle
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| This Leatherback sea turtle is reportedly life-sized. And yes, they apparently eat jellyfish. |
Whale's Tail
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| This was one of 2 humpback whale tails |
I found all sixteen sculptures, although I've shared only fourteen photos as two animals were duplicated. If you're in the area and have children or grandchildren (even teens), I suggest paying a visit. There's another exhibit in Omaha, Nebraska and a gallery in Bandon, Oregon so those are other options.
I'm no doubt dating myself but, if you've ever seen the movie, The Graduate, starring Dustin Hoffman, maybe you remember the iconic line about plastic. If you haven't seen the movie or don't remember the line, here's a reminder:
The problems created by plastic pollution don't only impact animals in our oceans and waterways. The impacts are far-reaching. Microplastics now endanger human lives too (which you can read about here and here). The reference to "plastics" in 'The Graduate' was intended to a suggest a lucrative but unfulfilling career prospect. I don't expect that many people were concerned about overloading our environment with non-degradable substances that would affect their lives and the lives of future generations in more ways than they could imagine when the movie came out in 1967. Hopefully, members of future generations will find ways to collect, contain, and replace dangerous plastics but, in the meantime, we can all benefit from practicing behaviors that help to manage plastic products and limit the harm they do.
On that cheerful note, I hope you all enjoy a pleasant weekend.
All material © 2012-2023 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party