| Plastics+Art | | P+A Newsletters | |
|
|
| |
|
'Plastics+Art' Newsletter - Volume 1, Spring 97
|
|
|
April 7 1997 CPIA unveiling of "the Elevated Wetlands" Project. The Granite Club in Toronto hosts the unveiling of the Elevated Wetlands Project, initiating its formal fundraising campaign. Speakers will include Susan McNerney, Chair of CPIA Ontario / President of Extrufix Inc. and Paul Cohen, W. Ralston (Canada) Inc. / Canadian Technical Tape Ltd. with talks concerning the partnership between art and the industry, and Howard Moscoe, Councillor, City of North York Spadina on the public perspective. Noel Harding will introduce the background to the project, explaining its design elements and giving an update on the experiments surrounding it. A scale site model showing "the Elevated Wetlands" project in place in the Don Valley will be on display, as well as a working experiment with plants living in the plastic soil matrix, being fed by water from the Don River. Audio-visual documentation through the research and design phase will be on display. Exemplifying this positive partnership between art and the Plastics Industry, the substantial and core contribution to this project by the following companies is gratefully acknowledged.
"the Elevated Wetlands" Research Report - Al Mattes Botanist, Phytoremediation "the Elevated Wetlands" project has demonstrated that plastics, and in particular recycled plastics, can be an effective growing medium for plants of various types. The project has conducted successful experiments both indoors in studio experiments in Toronto and outdoors at the University of Lethbridge. This has been summarized in my own report "Results of a field trial experiment of a hydroponic growing system powered by solar energy using all plastic materials in its construction. The system included utilization of discarded plastic materials containing heavy metal contaminant as a soil matrix." October 1996 Current experiments are also being conducted concerning the effect of cold temperatures on plants in the large polystyrene container. Preliminary results indicate that the temperature of the matrix at all depths was warmer than outdoor readings. Examples of those readings include extended outdoor temperatures of up to -30 degrees, which provided temperatures in the container of +1 at a 30 inch depth. Results from the experiments conducted at the University of Lethbridge proved that water that was transpired by the plants was remarkably clean. These plants thrived, grew to maturity, and produced seed despite the heavy metal contamination in the soil matrix, A.S.R. (Automobile Shredder Residue). The contaminants were were found to be bound to the plastic residue. The design of "the Elevated Wetlands" utilises mixed recycled plastics with washed ASR and filter layers to provide an excellent soil matrix which can be used as an effective environmental remediation tool within a water treatment process. Web Site <http://www.plastics-art.com> A new web site will be unveiled at "the Elevated Wetlands" project launch on April 7. This web site is designed by ORIGO.COM Inc., an on-line agency and production house which brings together artists, engineers, producers, writers and performers to create unique on-line experiences which include interactive amusements, feature or promotional web sites and on-line events, stunts or specials. The web site will provide community outreach to assist the project in achieving its communications goals. It is designed to promote, engage and interact. By using the web site as a virtual installation of the project, "the Elevated Wetlands" initiative becomes accessible to millions of people internationally, regardless of geographic location. It has educational opportunities as well, which include using it as a student and teacher resource to enhance current curriculum, or as the main component of a new curriculum developed around the project. Everyone will be able to explore and enjoy the project. Just as "the Elevated Wetlands" project seeks to embrace the community around it, so too will the web site, by allowing the visitors to 'surf' through the site learning more about the science behind the art, environmental issues, and backgrounds of the artists and sponsors. In particular, there will be a special hot-link to the individual web sites of participating companies and corporations. Advanced technologies facilitated by the Internet will allow visitors to monitor the installation remotely, giving them a sense of presence without actually being there. Live video feeds uploaded to the web site will allow visitors to see the actual installation in its surroundings making the project more tangible. The web site will, of course, evolve and grow in tandem with "the Elevated Wetlands" project. EPS Molders Association - Second Annual Meeting Noel Harding was asked to participate in the second annual meeting of the EPS Molders Association, held in Chicago, March 5-7, 1997. The theme "Expanding Horizons", reflected the growth achieved in presenting the positive values of EPS, as well as their plans for expansion with testing for new product applications, greater member involvement and increased applications-oriented advertising. Speakers presented a wide range of topics - geofoam geosynthetic, EPS to direct deck, politics in business, and EPS in the European Marketplace. In a presentation which was described as 'fascinating', Noel Harding talked on "Plastics + Art - Using Expanded Polystyrene" and was very well received. Noel was asked to consider making a similar presentation at an upcoming meeting of the European Molders Association. Nova Scotia College of Art and Design - Plastics Workshop The partnership between the Plastics Industry and the arts was expanded in the fall of 1996, when the sculpture department of NSCAD (Nova Scotia College of Arts and Design), with the support of the industry, offered a workshop on plastics modelled on the 'Plastics + Art' initiative. The course was designed to introduce the use of plastics as a new sculpture material through lectures, technical information on materials and processes, tours, demonstrations and expertise. The donation of materials through Eric MacNearney, President of TrueFoam, harnessed the skills and imagination of the students. According to Greg Forrest, the instructor of the course, this collaboration with the industry has been an extremely enlightening experience for the students. The course will be expanding further in the spring of 1997 with the ongoing donation of plastic sheet material and tubing secured by Robert McInnes, Atlantic Region Director for CPIA, through the generosity and insight of Owens-Corning Canada. Robert McInnes is looking forward to setting up further partnerships involving other companies in the plastics industry. As a mutually beneficial partnership, the potential of the art college program has far reaching implications for both the artists involved and the industry. OAC Venture Grant An Ontario Arts Council Venture Grant was awarded spring96 to assist administration during R&D development. As final design and construction begins it is important to acknowledge and thank the OAC for their generous core support and vision for the 'Plastics + Art' initiative. | |
