Bristol’s ‘rubbish’ whale of a project

A sculpture of two life size whales made from recycled bottles has been unveiled in Bristol. The project uses willow harvested in Somerset and 70,000 plastic bottles – each containing […]

A sculpture of two life size whales made from recycled bottles has been unveiled in Bristol.

The project uses willow harvested in Somerset and 70,000 plastic bottles – each containing a green message – collected from the Bristol Half Marathon and 10k race.

It marks the city’s status as the UK’s first European Green Capital.

Dubbed ‘The Bristol Whales’, the artwork aims to highlight the threat to the world’s oceans from plastic pollution, particularly plastic bags and food and drinks packaging.

Research suggests more than 75% of bottles are not recycled but dumped as landfill instead.

Image: Bristol 2015/ Paul Box
Image: Bristol 2015/ Paul Box

The six-tonne temporary outdoor sculpture features a 32-food head and 18-foot tail.

It was built by design company Cod Steaks in collaboration with Artists Project Earth and funded by Arts Council England.

Phil Gibby, Area Director, South West, Arts Council England, said: “Artists throughout the world have been engaging with the green agenda for some time now and inviting us to think about the way we live.

“The Bristol Whales sends a very powerful message about the importance of safeguarding the world’s oceans by tackling marine litter.”

The project will be exhibited in the city centre’s Millennium Square until September 1st.

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