| Plastics+Art | | Elevated Wetlands Intro | |
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 View of site before installation. |
The Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) commissioned artist Noel Harding, to create a public work of art that brings together both the plastics and art communities. Harding's project "the Elevated Wetlands" is the first of five artworks to be designed by five internationally acclaimed artists as part of CPIA's Plastics + Art initiative.
"the Elevated Wetlands" is a functioning sculpture that sustains nature in an urban setting. In raising a silhouette of nature against the urban landscape, its visual intent is poetic.
A wetlands environment was created within plastic structures. Waste plastic is used as a soil substitute to filter water and sustain plant and tree growth. Certain vegetation, such as that commonly found in wetland areas, has a natural ability to remove pollutants from the environment -- a process known as phytoremediation. A selection of such plants, shrubs and trees are growing in the sculptural planters.
The innovative sculpture is located beside the Don River, near the Don Valley Parkway and the Don Mills interchange. A solar-powered pump will lift water from the polluted river into the raised plastic "planters". The waste plastic will function as a mechanical filter and the plants as biological filters, retrieving wastes, toxins and other impurities from the water. Plastic elements in the contents of the work include plastic bottles, recycled resins, auto fluff, polystyrene, filter barriers, geo membranes, and geo textiles.
Commissioned by CPIA in July 1995, the prototype model for "the Elevated Wetlands" was constructed in Lethbridge, Alberta, in the summer of 1996. Research collaboration was provided through the Universities of Lethbridge, Calgary, and Guelph, the NOVA Research Centre, and the National Research Council with support from the Ontario Arts Council's Venture Fund. The design of the hydroponic system for the Elevated Wetlands is a copyright technology developed by Noel Harding.
Wetlands naturally purify water both through plant transpiration and by providing the right environment for microorganisms that thrive on hydrocarbons and other pollutants. "the Elevated Wetlands" serves to make transparent nature's kidneys" says phytoremediation botanist Al Mattes, who conducted the field trial experiment of the prototype.
"the Elevated Wetlands" is a unique public work. It introduces a whole
new technological application for plastics and water purification. The
project's research may prove invaluable for future studies that may lead to
new uses and new markets for plastics. Over 50 companies within the
plastics industry as well as more than 20 from outside the industry, including Hertz Mathews, have sponsored the project to date, including NOVA
Chemicals Ltd., and W. Ralston (Canada) Inc..
Carving of the first polystyrene container was started in August 1997 at Polywheels Manufacturing Ltd.. Three of the six containers were carved and installed on the west side of the Don Valley Parkway. The remainder of the installation was completed in the summer of 1998, followed by the plantings.
When "the Elevated Wetlands" was inaugurated on October 1, 1998, only one third of the plants were in place. The remainder are being planted by volunteers at a community planting event throughout 1999.
Fact Sheet