Abstract
the mid-twentieth century, plastic was an innovative way to address the scarcity of natural resources. As an artificial proxy, it offered hope to protect natural resources and living organisms but failed to fulfil this promise. Currently, plastic poses a significant ecological threat and is a marker of the Anthropocene. In light of this, I reimagine my relationship with plastic and reshape the lifecycle of this material in my artworks to contribute to a more sustainable coexistence with nonhumans and the planet.
I employ both qualitative and quantitative methods. My literature review contextualises the study within the discourse on the Anthropocene and New Material Feminism. To productively respond to ecological grief, I consider Donna Haraway’s notion of “response-ability”. Jane Bennett's vital materialism and Karen Barad’s concept of intra-action. Drawing on interviews with artists Kai Lossgott and Leora Farber, I examine how they critically address environmental issues in their artworks through materiality and unconventional relationships with nonhumans.
Originating from ecological grief and recognising that eliminating plastic from my world is inconceivable, my practical work speculates about alternative ways to work with and perceive plastic. The quantitative component documents my development of bioplastic as a suitable art material that ‘touches the Earth lightly’. Developing bioplastic revealed its complex ties to a damaged planet and my complicity. With material knowledge of bioplastic, I use it as an art medium, with a particular focus on sculptural possibilities. In my exhibition, I acknowledge bioplastic as ‘vibrant matter’ and explore the agentic qualities of the matter through a collaborative relationship with nonhuman entities.
I conclude with a lingering suspicion of materials claiming to be innovative environmental solutions. I point out how humans and nonhumans are inextricably linked in the web of life. I acknowledge that, as a human, I will never truly understand all the nuances of an other-than-human world.
KEYWORDS: New Material Feminism, Kai Lossgott, Leora Farber, Donna Haraway, Jane Bennett, Karen Barad, plastic, bioplastic, Anthropocene, nonhuman, ecological grief, vibrant matter, response-ability, intra-action.