The art of recycling - A new breath of life from the old.

(PLVN) - As green living becomes more popular, the art of recycling is increasingly evident in cultural life. From individual works, recycled art has gradually become a powerful trend, not only celebrating creative beauty but also "breathing life" into forgotten old materials, giving them a new and meaningful existence.

The message from the "Plastic Age"

On weekends, Quang Trung Street (Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi ) becomes more bustling than usual with long lines of people queuing in front of the Japan Foundation – the venue for the art exhibition "The Plastic Age" by internationally renowned Japanese artist Fuji Hiroshi. The exhibition showcases colorful, meticulously crafted dinosaur and animal sculptures made from tens of thousands of plastic toys of various sizes and shapes. Among them are many familiar toys, such as popular Japanese cartoon characters like Doraemon, Pikachu, and Hello Kitty…

The exhibition's unique feature lies in its materials: all are discarded plastic toys collected from across Japan. Under the skillful hands and vivid imagination of the artists, these forgotten plastic toys are reborn, given a new lease of life, and transformed into unique works of art. Therefore, "The Plastic Age" is not simply an art exhibition, but also conveys a powerful message about the global plastic waste problem. Through this, it calls on the community to raise awareness and take practical action in protecting the environment, especially in reducing plastic waste.

Speaking about his inspiration, artist Fuji Hiroshi, known for his creative use of recycled materials, said that during the course of his "Kaekko Bazar" project—a toy exchange platform—he collected over 50,000 plastic toys from children. Recognizing the dramatic increase in plastic waste and its negative impact on the environment, the artist, wanting to raise public awareness, began a journey of transforming discarded items into works of art, conveying messages about environmental protection and responsible consumption.

The Recycling Workshop - a unique structure in Hoi An. (Photo: Nguyen Quoc Dan)

According to artist Fuji Hiroshi, "The Plastic Age" is a powerful connection between plastic, a common material used to manufacture toys, and fossil fuels derived from prehistoric life, including dinosaurs. Through this unique connection, he encourages viewers to reflect on the role of plastic in life and its impact on the planet. "The enormous amount of waste we create has always existed, it's just hidden from view. Through my work, I want to make this 'invisible' issue so significant that it cannot be ignored, forcing viewers to stop and contemplate," Fuji Hiroshi shared.

With its impressive visual experience and meaningful message, the exhibition attracted a large audience, especially young people, who came to visit and experience it. H. Giang (24 years old, Hanoi) returned to the exhibition for the second time, wanting to admire the works in detail. “The first time I came to the exhibition, I was overwhelmed by the creativity of the artist. From seemingly useless plastic toys, they could be transformed into vibrant works of art. The second time, I returned with the desire to look more closely at each detail and better understand the message the artist wanted to convey,” H. Giang shared.

Not only Giang, but many young people also came to the exhibition to enjoy the art and to learn about the impact of plastic waste on the environment. In particular, because it was an exhibition about toys, besides adults, there were also many children brought by their parents to visit. This was precisely the intention that artist Fuji Hiroshi incorporated into this project, according to him: “Children may not fully understand the negative impact of plastic on the environment, but I hope that through this exhibition, they will better understand the issue of pollution and develop an awareness of environmental protection from an early age.”

The art exhibition "The Plastic Age" serves as a powerful reminder of sustainable living. Through its accessible and artistic approach, the message from artist Fuji Hiroshi's works resonates with the community, encouraging people to change their consumption habits to reduce plastic waste and act together for a green, clean, and sustainable environment.

Affirming the trend of recycled art.

Prior to the "Plastic Age" art exhibition, the Vietnamese public had already had the opportunity to admire recycled artworks in diverse and unique forms. For example, the Recycling Workshop by artist Nguyen Quoc Dan is considered one of the most unique and creative works in Hoi An. It's called the Recycling Workshop because it's constructed entirely from recycled corrugated iron with a particularly impressive design.

Every detail, from the gate to the bags, tables, chairs, lanterns, and sculptures, is repurposed from discarded items such as barrels, aluminum basins, mannequins, bottles, and old nets. More than just giving waste a new look, this place also portrays stories about life, the environment, and culture, conveying a powerful message about recycling and sustainable living. It is precisely this unique design that has made the Recycling Workshop a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, art lovers, and those concerned about the environment.

Furthermore, the art of recycling is also present in music . Three weeks ago, the art program "Flowers and Trash" touched the hearts of many art and environmental enthusiasts by addressing the severe environmental pollution on Earth. The concert skillfully conveyed many meaningful messages to the public through its chapters: Love for the Homeland, Scattering and Picking, The Colorful Environment, Flowers and Trash. Each chapter impressed with the inclusion of famous songs by composers Tran Tien, the late Trinh Cong Son, Van Cao, and Pham Duy, such as "The First Spring," "Nostalgic Love," "Colors," "The Beloved Days Fade Away," "Our Love is a Waterfall," etc. Notably, the props used in the program were all made from recycled materials, creating a creative highlight and powerfully conveying the program's message.

Art exhibition "The Plastic Age". (Photo: PV)

“Flowers and Trash” is not just an art program; it is also a call for a green, clean, and sustainable living environment for communities both domestically and internationally. Previously, “Flowers and Trash” was successfully performed at the Trinh Cong Son Hall of Van Lang University with over 2,000 attendees on October 10, 2024, and at the Song Huong Theater in Hue on December 14-15, 2024.

As for painting, in April 2024, the "Touching a Flower" art exhibition was held, bringing together more than 30 artists from across the country, all sharing a common aspiration to protect the environment through art. The exhibition celebrated creativity and spread the message about the importance of using recycled materials in painting. Instead of conventional canvases, the artists utilized fabric scraps to create colorful works, contributing to reducing waste from the textile industry.

The exhibition "Touching a Floral Stroke" showcases 30 unique paintings, each offering a multifaceted perspective on art and the environment, meticulously rendered on canvases made from scraps of fabric. Beyond their aesthetic value, the paintings reflect the distinct artistic personalities of the Gen Z generation of young artists, creating a creative and meaningful exhibition space.

It is evident that, with its diverse forms of expression, from painting, sculpture, and architecture to music, each art form offers the public deeper insights into the relationship between art and the environment. These works go beyond aesthetic value, prompting reflection on humanity's responsibility towards nature and promoting environmental awareness through sustainable living. Through this, recycled art is gradually establishing itself as a global creative trend, reflecting the sustainable development trend in contemporary art.

Chi Trang

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/nghe-thuat-tai-che-hoi-tho-moi-tu-nhung-dieu-cu-post543816.html