Artist In Mexico Collects Garbage Washed Up From 50 Countries To Create Beautiful Art

Trash in the oceans is a great problem for everyone. Enough garbage washes up in Sian Ka’an reserve for Alejandro Duran to make Washed-Up, a project of sprawling trash art installations. Sian Ka'an is the largest federally protected reserve in Mexico, yet this status can't protect it from the ocean currents. Alejandro states that over the duration of the project he has identified trash coming from about 50 countries. Once in his hands, the detritus is used to make cheeky sculptures. Sorted by color or shape, the trash is positioned to imitate natural shapes, like wines, pools and coconuts. In a way, they mimic the environment they invade, sending a message about consumption and trash.

As Alejandro writes on his project website, “...these installations mirror the reality of our current environmental predicament. The resulting photo series depicts a new form of colonization by consumerism, where even undeveloped land is not safe from the far-reaching impact of our disposable culture.” It is, in effect, a sad reminder that wherever we are and whatever we do, we're impacting the environment in ways we can barely imagine.

So taking that empty bottle to a recycling bin might do a lot more good than you think.

More info: alejandroduran.com | Instagram (h/t: boredpanda)