Addis Abeba University Ale school of fine arts and design Master of Arts in fine art Up cycling plastics: Reconnecting people, materials and place through contemporary art practice Abstract Plastic is the most produced materials on the planet and plastic packaging represent about half of the plastic waste in the world. Because most of it does not biodegrade or decompose, problems arise when it finished in the environment. Research has shown that many environmental problems, including the west and plastic issue, are connected to human behaviors. My project considers how can raise the issues of plastic bags, plastic bottles and with caps which are made from plastics usage to spark creative thinking about environmental issues. Using the arts can compel engagement by communities and encourage creativity and spontaneity, which may led to unforeseen conclusion and potential solution. At home we toss the plastic into the trash and never give it another though; just like us our waste also deserves a second chance. Why are we so comfortable in our habits that we give little thought to how much plastics we use and where that plastic goes, what lives its affects , and what images it done ? Where does all our plastic ends up? In this project I would like to focus on up recycling strategies in contemporary art practice. The use of recycling strategies in the arts has long history in 1970s; environmental art developed from land art and alongside aesthetic concepts its placed concert ecological interest and their relevance to society in the foreground. Particularly my project that aim to raise consciousness for environmental issues and needs for the sustainable use of recourses through installation art, photo voice, video art and functional sculpture. In my feature projects entirely use recycled and/or plastics trash to make a piece of contemporary artworks. I practice the art of “up cycling”, or literally turning everyday trash into creative treasures. Some create compositions from recycled plastic bag or themed works for art galleries, while others create entire theme parks with trash, and even furniture from recycled materials. Basically I want my artworks create with the most cost-effective medium available; trash. Choosing plastic as the material for the creation of artworks, the very first objective of the movement was to associate its activity with a clear concept of recycling. Plastic used for urban artistic installations, sculptures has properties of a virtual eternal power and can be crushed and reshaped into other sculptures. A real cycle of life to affirm that in art as in nature nothing is created and nothing is destroyed. But everything changes, renews and regenerates.I uses the form of systems thinking, an inter-contextual approach relating various elements to increase understanding. My project engages an audience in dialogs about plastic pollution and the environment, while offering a remarkable, yet critical perspective of the economic impact on the environment. Connecting environmental 1|Page and economic concepts through art provides an audience with alternative ways of viewing familiar concepts, which may evolve a more complete picture. Yonas Tilahun GSR/4660/13 Email- yonastilahun1213@gmail.com 2|Page
