Installation shot (2021) by FAAMAIFaculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University
Plastic Sea by Witaya Junma, curated by Haisang Javanalikhikara, funded by FAAMAI Digital Arts Hub, Chulalongkorn University was held at Art4C, gallery and creative learning space in Bangkok, Thailand from July 3 to 11, 2021.
The exhibition was launched on the 3rd of July 2021 to mark an annual awareness day for International Plastic Bag Free Day, featuring an interactive data visualisation artwork, under the title Plastic Sea.
When one thinks of environmental problems, plastic pollution is one of the most crucial issues that this planet is facing. In our consumer society today, plastic has become part of our lives and we can’t imagine ourselves living without it. Plastic is in almost everything we touch, from a toothbrush to our clothes, from utensils to electronic gadgets, even nail polish or glitter in our body lotion.
Installation shot, Plastic Sea, 2021, (2021) by Witaya JunmaFaculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University
It is true that some people may think that the issue of plastic waste is not that serious because plastic is recyclable. Others argue, like Charles J. Moore, that our, “throwaway society cannot be contained - it has gone global. We cannot store and maintain or recycle all our stuff”.
And so the plastic that is not recycled gets partially washed into the ocean; plastic pieces break up in the water, becoming uncountable small shards and fragments of micro plastic flecking throughout the ocean, passing through animals and plants, or water itself, and on to us.
Installation shot with interaction (2021) by Witaya JunmaFaculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University
Plastic Sea is created to communicate in a straightforward way the growing problem of plastic waste in the sea, to engage participants and enable them to understand some of the environmental effects right away.
By using a database provided by the Department Of Marine And Coastal Resources, this artwork presents the growing volume of plastic waste in the sea surrounding Thailand. Audiences can interact by putting a capsule of plastic waste in a water tank; each capsule has a different form of plastic found in everyday life as well as in the ocean.
Installation shot, Plastic Sea, 2021, (2021) by Witaya JunmaFaculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University
While the vortex swirls, two numbers are shown on the work: one is the percentage of that type of plastic in the sea and the other is the year in which that data was collected. Every time a capsule is dropped into the water tank, data will be randomly generated.
When a capsule of plastic waste is dropped in the tank, the water begins to move and flow, creating a vortex. The stronger the vortex, the greater the volume of that type of plastic waste in the sea.
This interactive installation creates a compelling visual experience intended to engage and grasp participants' attention so that they can connect what they see with their own environmental impact.
When a capsule of plastic waste is dropped in the tank, the water begins to move and flow, creating a vortex. The stronger the vortex, the greater the volume of that type of plastic waste in the sea. While the vortex swirls, two numbers are shown on the work: one is the percentage of that type of plastic in the sea and the other is the year in which that data was collected. Every time a capsule is dropped into the water tank, data will be randomly generated.
Plastic Sea 2021 (2021) by FAAMAIFaculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University
Artist Interview
Interview of the artists, Witaya Junma, which explains how the work was created.
Installation shot (2021) by Witaya JunmaFaculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University
Installation shot, Plastic Sea, 2021, image courtesy of the artist
“Plastic Sea is an interactive installation that represents plastic waste data from the seas that surround Thailand by way of illustrating the gravity of water. An interactive participant can select the type of plastic waste and place it in the installation and watch how much plastic waste is found in the sea from 2007 to the present.
By engaging with Plastic Sea, visitors will find that they are contributing to the issue one way or another.”
- Witaya Junma
Haisang Javanalikhikara (Curator) and Witaya Junma (Artist) (2021) by FAAMAIFaculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University
Haisang Javanalikhikara, D.F.A is full-time lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. She is director of ART4C, the faculty’s gallery and creative space. Occasionally, she works as a project-based art and cultural curator and researcher.
Witaya Junma is enthusiastic about exploring and using new approaches to his art; he also likes to explore various branches of science in creating his works. Technology and machinery have thus become a significant part of his artistic process and art.
More About Artist: www.witayajunma.com
Art4C, Gallery and Creative Learning Space
Art4C is a gallery and creative learning space, housed in a three-storey, three-block shophouse in Samyan district, right in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. It was founded and funded by the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University. This space promotes trans-disciplinary art, learning and cultural activities. A café serving fusion food is located on the ground floor. Exhibitions are held on the second floor gallery and performances, workshops, talks, therapy and learning activities are held on the third floor.
‘Plastic Sea’
Artist
Witaya Junma
Curator
Haisang Javanalikhikara, D.F.A.
This project is under FAAMAI Digital Art Hub, Faculty of Fine and Applied Art, ChulalongkornUniversity
Professor Bussakorn Binson, Ph.D.
Dean of Faculty of Fine and Applied Art, Chulalongkorn University
FAAMAI
(Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts Multidisciplinary Art Innovation Center)
Executive Director
Asst. Prof. Prapon Kumjim, Ph.D.
Executive Secretary
Sirithorn Srichalakom, D.F.A.
Operation Director
Piroonmas Kajorndechakul
Marketing Manager
Kullakan Kinrakhon
Art Director
Ratima Siripisitsak
Art Coordinator
Palita Sriammorn
Secretary
Sunthonwinit Vorasing
Art4C
Manager of Art4C
Nutchanat Laimek
Environmental Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University
Seelawut Damrongsiri, Ph.D.
Pokchat Chutivisut, Ph.D.
Wilailuk Niyommaneerat, Ph.D.
Ratchanon Piemjaiswang, Ph.D.
English Revision
John Charles Clewley
Plastic Sea Exhibition:
https://www.faa.chula.ac.th/Art4cWork/show/51
Plastic Sea Catalogue:
https://www.faa.chula.ac.th/uploads/tiny_uploads/Plastic_Sea_Catalogue.pdf
Plastic Sea Talk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR0W7xsMOs0
For more information, please visit
Website - FAAMAI:
https://www.faa.chula.ac.th/faamai/index
Email: chulafaamai@chula.ac.th
