An art exhibit entitled “Inside the Plastic Vortex” is being held at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Made mainly of ocean rubbish such as discarded plastic bottles, fishing nets and foam materials, the exhibit takes the form of a three-dimensional map of the Pacific Rim, displaying the Chinese coastline on one side, and the North American coastline on the other.The exhibit was co-organized by HKUST’s Division of Environment and Institute for the Environment. “The aim of the exhibit is to arouse public awareness of the growing problem of ocean rubbish. Some of this rubbish is ingested by ocean creatures, which in turn may be eaten by humans as part of our food chain,” said Prof Paul Forster of the Division of Environment.
The exhibit was designed by Mr Sebastian Pascot, a French artist stationed in Hong Kong. 15 HKUST local and international students took part in the project by collecting disposed materials from four relatively remote local beaches that are not regularly cleaned. They also helped assemble the rubbish into the art exhibit in the car park on campus, under the Mr Pascot’s direction.
“This has been an unforgettable experience for me. The process of collecting the plastic rubbish sharpened my appreciation of the seriousness of ocean pollution. In future I will do my best to protect the global environment,” said one student.
For more information about HKUST’s sustainability initiatives, please visit http://green.ust.hk.
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Ross Lai
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