Plastics Exhibition
Exploring the environmental impact of the manufacture, use and disposal of plastics.
Plastic
A synthetic material made from a wide range of organic polymers.
Art & Design Foundation studies, School of Design & Creative Arts, Loughborough University.
Exhibited images are a curated selection from the diverse individual concepts, investigations and creative responses produced and celebrated by our 2021/2022 cohort.
Our plastics project has been embedded in the Foundation programme since 2019 having an impact on the creative development of 515 students over these initial 4 years. Our cohort undertake in depth research and creative development work, challenge perceptions, seek to raise awareness, shift attitudes and develop thinking that has a real and practical impact on the actions we all take.
Our Creative Art and Design students are engaged with plastics issues across our four specialist disciplines of Visual Communication, 3 Dimensional Design, Textiles & Fashion and Fine Art. Starting with their project investigations and following their personal curiosities they begin with the implementation of changes here and now. As they develop their creative studies and careers they are able to take this knowledge and awareness into their personal practice and creative professions as influential artists, designers and industry decision makers.
Inspired by scientific possibilities, and extensive environmental evidence and shocked by the severity of continually emerging information surrounding the plastics crisis, we have taken on the task of raising awareness amongst staff, students and our combined professional and personal communities.
Through the extension, development and re visiting of this project we believe we have heightened awareness of the enormous issues that our daily use of plastic presents, and that we will have in some way influenced future actions. We hope that through continued audience engagement the wider community and broader demographic will consider their personal relationship with plastics and their responsibility towards ensuring the future protection of our planet.
Our inaugural body of work was exhibited in London, at the Home Office, in support of the 25 year vision for environmental change issued by the Department of the Environment, Food & Rural affairs (DEFRA). We continue to collaborate and connect with positive impact groups and sustainability initiatives to expand and share awareness and actions. We welcome new initiatives to be able to explore further connections, developments and exhibition opportunities.
Our pledge
As staff and students of Loughborough University we have made a commitment to raising awareness and prompting a shift in behaviours around the environmental impact of the manufacture, use and disposal of plastics. With a commitment to sharing in the responsibility for our environmental performance we the Foundation community pledge to:
- Reduce and eliminate the use of single use plastics
- Re use and dispose of plastics responsibly
- Challenge choices and shift behaviours around the manufacture, use & disposal of plastics
- Embed ethical and environmental considerations within future projects
- Promote awareness and action through visual information and discussion