This artwork is by Singaporean artist Tan Zi Xi. Entitled ‘plastic ocean’ it was displayed at the 2016 ‘Imaginarium: Over the Sea, Under the Ocean’ art exhibition in Singapore. This immersive art piece was presented as an interactive walkway where viewers were given the impression that they were walking under a literal sea of non-biodegradable trash. Tan Zi Xi stated that: “Inspired by “An Effort Most Futile,” I wanted to recreate a physical manifestation of the Pacific Garbage Patch, where children and adults could experience being immersed in a space covered with trash, simulating the environment of the ‘plastic pool”.
I have chosen to display this artwork in this project because once again it goes beyond simply demonstrating the immense wonders of upcycling, recycling, and repurposing, and extends to sending a powerful message about overconsumption, pollution, and toxic waste. Through positioning the audience member underneath the artwork, Tan Zi Xi has perfectly captured the feelings of powerlessness and being overwhelmed that many of us as individuals feel when confronted with issues of environmental concern and alarm.
Through encapsulating this dynamic in her art work, Tan Zi Xi portrays how sustaining the environment takes collective effort. This is the philosophy behind much of her art work, as can be inferred from some of her statements regarding her earlier works such as: “Pollution and the destruction of our environment occurs on a very large scale; rescuing it is really beyond me as an individual, and this was my initial motive when I created the illustrations” - Tan Zi Xi.
References:
Xi, TZ 2016, ‘plastic ocean’ in Imaginarium 2016: Over the Ocean Under the Sea, Singapore art museum contemporary art in South East Asia, retrieved 13 August 2021, www.singaporeartmuseum.sg/art-events/exhibitions/imaginarium-2016.
Xi, TZ 2021, Tan Zi Xi, Oceanic Global, retrieved 15 August 2021, oceanic.global/tan-zi-xi/.