Moby the plastic whale project tackles plastic pollution in Portsmouth
An inspiring art project has made waves in the fight against plastic pollution, whilst empowering local care leavers.
The creative initiative was the idea of Alice Bee, a student from the University of Portsmouth, who has set up the project as part of her Socially Engaged Theatre Master’s thesis. It involved 12 young care leavers in Portsmouth who helped to make a giant whale sculpture out of plastic waste over the course of a week. The finished artwork, which has been nicknamed Moby, measured over 12ft long.
Moby the plastic whale project aims to raise awareness of plastic pollution’s devastating impact on wildlife by crafting a giant whale entirely from plastic waste, all while providing care leavers with an interactive creative experience.
Alice and the young people were joined by researchers from the University of Portsmouth’s Revolution Plastics. The participants were all from ArtsWork Portsmouth creative skills programme, a pre-employability initiative that supports care leavers by providing them with valuable skills while actively contributing to a pressing environmental cause.
Through this artistic creation we can all work together to ignite a sense of responsibility towards the environment and get people talking about this important issue.”
Over the course of one week the participants collaboratively constructed a massive whale sculpture using discarded plastic materials. The project will culminated in a spectacular parade on Friday 18th August, as Moby the plastic whale travelled from Southsea Castle to Canoe Lake, captivating onlookers and sparking important conversations about the environment.
The Moby the plastic whale project emphasised knowledge sharing through lived experience. By bridging the gap between plastic pollution researchers from Revolution Plastics and young care leavers in Portsmouth, the project helped foster a unique exchange of insights and creativity.
At its core the initiative strived to enhance the younger generations understanding of plastic pollution, whilst providing care leavers with a platform for personal growth and skill development. Through direct interactions with professionals in the field, participants gained invaluable insights and contributed to community outreach efforts.
The project not only stands as a symbol of creativity and collaboration but also the potential for care leavers and communities to drive meaningful change.
Alice Bee, University of Portsmouth student and project lead says: “The project not only stands as a symbol of creativity and collaboration but also the potential for care leavers and communities to drive meaningful change. As the giant plastic whale took its symbolic journey through the streets of Portsmouth, it carried with it a powerful message of unity and determination in the face of environmental challenges.”
Cressida Bowyer, Deputy Director of Revolution Plastics at the University of Portsmouth, says: “Moby the plastic whale project represents a powerful convergence of art, science and social engagement. Its aim is to inspire change by illustrating the profound impact of plastic pollution on our planet’s delicate ecosystems. Through this artistic creation we can all work together to ignite a sense of responsibility towards the environment and get people talking about this important issue.”