Bag on Bag project
Tough battle against the eternal Lady of Plastic
December 2011
The voluntary Bag on Bag project, which was held for the second year in a row, warns of the excessive use of plastic bags by combining art and environmental protection, and at the same time offers creative and simple solutions for the prevention of this type of waste.
Between 19 and 26 November 2011, old plastic bags were collected and exchanged for textile equivalents at special stalls (Stojnice idej – Idea Stalls) in various locations throughout Ljubljana. Around 150 kilograms of plastic bags were collected over six days. Throughout the week, artworks and various useful items were made from the bags and plastic bottles collected. The project organisers will use the rest of the collected bags for future projects, workshops and creations.
At the final event, the organisers displayed the art and products made out of waste packaging and presented awards to the winners of the photo competition Vrečka na veji (A Bag on a Branch), which was held in October and November, the aim of which was to warn of the problem of plastic in the aquatic environment. Artists, musicians, improvisers and dancers participated at the event and made it a real mini-street dance-music-art show.
On 26 November 2011 Pogačarjev trg in Ljubljana was dedicated to the eternal Lady of Plastic. The event was staged next to a huge dead tree, decorated with plastic bags (by The Miha Artnak, in cooperation with Andraž Tarman (Rompom) and Erik Vidmar (Tisa d.o.o.)) and towering over Travnik (Meadow) scattered with colourful and completely non-biodegradable flowers made from plastic bottles (by Luka Mancini and Katarina Mrvar from Lukatarina design studio).
The artist, The Miha Artnak, named his art piece Pomlad je sen zime/The Rise of the Fall (Spring is the Dream of Winter/The Rise of the Fall). He commented on it: 'Along with the last year's snow came a new type of monster. It has adapted to the ecosystem, but since we have significantly limited the use of plastic bags, it died of hunger this August. The nature of waste is persistent and cannot be managed smoothly. It adapts to us with ease, particularly when we are not consistent in our handling of waste. It adapts to us in all seasons and every day tries to spread over an even greater space under the sun with its non-degradable fruit.'
During EWWR week (the European Week for Waste Reduction), the fashion designer Barbara Živčić (Ecologists without borders) in cooperation with Kralji ulice (Kings of the Street) led two workshops on how to make sleeping bags, at which 15 homeless people learned how to make a sleeping bag out of plastic bags. On Sunday Barbara Živčić brought the sleeping bags with her for display.
Bagfoot
Barging in on the event uninvited came a plastic being going by the name of Bagfoot. It performed a dance entitled Who's Bag to show that shopping is a holiday. Bagfoot reinforced its dance act with his clones – the dancers from the Šola za nastopanje Bast – and volunteers.
An important part of the introductory part of the project in autumn was the Vrečka na veji (A Bag on a Branch) photo competition, which started on 3 October and concluded on 15 November 2011. A total of 448 photographs were entered in the photo competition. Of the ten that garnered the most votes on the web, the three-member jury were swayed most by the following: Andrej Marenčič with I Wanna Spin (But I Cant), Anja Burnik with Smetovec (Garbage Tree ), and Nataša Pezdir with 'Okraski' Koritnice (Koritnica 'Decorations') . Sašo Papp, the radio presenter and photo competition ambassador, presented them with their awards at the final event.
The event was accompanied by the lively rhythms of DJs Žakpižon and Felis Catus, the Improleptika theatre group provided laughter and unexpected situations, and the rapper Kosta gave the event some soul with his deep and strong lyrics. Three loud urban boys, Simpl, Perro and Rudstah (Datura, Nedelaz), showed what they have created during their years of practice in bomb shelters. They threw chopped syllables at the rhythm with great precision. The final street event was masterfully presented by the sports commentator and journalist, Luka Štucin.
Project partners:
The Ecologist Without Borders society , the Eco Vitae ecological society , the artist, The Miha Artnak, Lukatarina design studio , and project co-organisers, Nataša Zuljan, Marko Orel and the SRCe Student House .
The Vrečka na veji (A bag on a Branch) photo competition's partner was Ekomagazin.si .
Text by Polonca Štritof, Sinfo, December 2011
Photo: Žiga Šmidovnik and authors of the winning photographs
Facts
According to some data, an adult resident in Slovenia uses between 130 and 150 plastic bags a year on average. After use, which usually does not last more than 30 minutes, these bags usually end up with mixed waste, where they do not belong as they can be recycled (only 4 % are recycled at present). Plastic bags decompose after as long as 1 000 years has elapsed, and pose a threat to nature and to human and animal health (especially the health of sea animals). It should also be stressed that bags are made from non-renewable resources, such as oil and natural gas.
Creations made of waste materials
Many guest artists put their creations made of waste materials on display:
Anselma, izdelovalnica vsega (ne)mogočega (Anselma, workshop for everything (im)possible ), put on a fashion show featuring the rain ponchos that were entered in Anselma's first competition Moja pelerina (My rain poncho). There is a story behind each of these rain ponchos and they are all made of recycled materials such as bags, oilcloth, pillows, shower curtains, etc.
The architect, Tjaša Mavrič, made a nice collection of hand-made unique fashion accessories, which she presents under the name TM priboljški (TM treats). These include recycled handbags, wallets and pouches suitable for everyone and every occasion.
Rompom is a group of four industrial designers: Nuša Jelenec, Tilen Sepič, Andraž Tarman and Jurij Lozić. At the final street event, they presented their Kanta-bins product, which is used for the separate collection of waste.
NatanEsku is an art designer who paints, takes photos, illustrates and designs. At the final street event, he presented some of his works made of waste.
By combining art, ecology, design and acting, Kulturno ekološko društvo Smetumet exposes the problems with our attitudes towards nature, consumerism, waste and the modern way of life. At the final street event, they presented the products they had made out of plastic bags and coffee packaging.
Video
Video (Slovenian)