Saltcot Observatory Eco Art Installation
An eco art installation produced by the For Enjoyment community and commissioned by D&G Eco Warriors is now showcased in our Saltcot Merse Observatory.
The For Enjoyment community were commissioned by the D&G Eco Warriors to produce an installation piece that would highlight the effects of plastic pollution on the Dumfries and Galloway Coastline.
We took the brief and as a group discussed the best way to portray the devastating effects of the throwaway culture that now grips the planet and how it effects the coast in such an impactful way. The work is based on the style of an Interpretation Board used to help people identify Flora and Fauna, highlighting the beauty and native species to be found at the coast. The work is designed to be visually stunning and disturbing at the same time. Areas of the board are full of representations of local wildlife alongside the contrasting refuse that can be found on any part of our coasts country wide. It's hoped that this work will create debate about the human impact of our natural world and at the same time highlight the importance of the work being carried out by the Eco Warriors and other conservation groups in an attempt to clean up our precious beaches in this part of Scotland.
Over fifty members of the For Enjoyment Community were involved in creating this Installation. For Enjoyment is an inclusive community of creative minds of all ages and abilities made up from a diverse mix of people from all around the region and beyond.
The Eco Warrior beach clean ups were set up by Lottie, Fiona, Laura after having found a similar passion for cleaning up Dumfries and Galloway and trying to make a difference however large or small whilst working with the community.
The aim of this group is to:
- Raise awareness of plastic pollution/related environmental issues
- Share any tips of how to become more sustainable
- Sharing beach clean and other related environmental events
- Setting up beach clean ups around the Dumfries and Galloway
Along with arranging beach clean ups we are trying to empower others to use their own initiative and do the same in other areas of D&G. There are many beaches and coves around our coastline and some that we are less familiar with hence the need for help in arranging such clean ups.
We thought that with some of the rubbish we collected from our cleans could then be recycled to make a piece of art to highlight the impact of plastic and how it effects not only our coastline but our wildlife also. After putting up a post on our Facebook page we then joined together with the "For Enjoyment" art company. We talked through our vision and have been amazed with the work the community produced to make this 3d piece of art, which is not only lovely but shows the true devastation of the state of our beaches. The piece tells the story very simply in order to spread the word and educate others on this ongoing issue.
