Waste of Space – A Rubbish Exhibition

Bike Tyre Artwork Fiona Campbell. Photo by Morwhenna Woolcock

This week I've been helping out at the Waste of Space Exhibition at the Trinity Arts Centre in Bristol, a rather beautifully converted church.

A WASTEofSPACE is the brainchild of Pete Margerum and Annali Alletha with the vision of having a dedicated space, where traditional “waste” materials can be creatively explored. It’s ALL about waste. How much we throw away, what happens to it and what you can actually make with some of it… and you know how much I love upcycling!

Rubber inner tubes, drinks cans and plastic milk bottles have all taken on a (new) life of their own.  It’s been Fun, Interesting, Inspiring and it’s been hard work. I've really loved being part of it!

I’m not going to bombard you with facts about how long stuff takes to break down as I’m sure you’re aware of that kind of thing and sometimes I feel we can become desensitized to it.

I will share artist Fiona Hobson's work though. Fiona uses plastic bags to share important messages…

What I like most about this kind of exhibition is how it encourages us to look at things differently.

For example..Think about a plastic milk bottle. Then forget, if you will, that it’s used for carrying milk. 

Instead – look at its shape. What does it make you think of?

Look at the material used – it’s actually a nice ‘sandblasted’ sturdy plastic. Can it be cut up into something else?

How can it be given a second, or third or even fourth life?

Could it be a seagull perhaps? OK rather a leap here - but can you see where I'm going with this?

And how about flattened beer cans....

Litter Peckers by Tim Floyd, Fred Plumley & Phil Strainge

And how about rubber inner tubes….could they really be turned into a bird sculpture? Darn toot’in they can….!

So what do you think?

I think ‘Rubbish’ can look pretty darn cool…It takes a little imagination and a new perspective.

Of course reducing the amount we chuck away in the first place is a good place to start and considering our purchases – which all sounds rather serious and so the more fun we can inject into it the better!

What 'rubbish' have you got that you could give a new life to?

Check out some more ideas here...!

Plastic Waste Lights
45 Ideas of How to Recycle Plastic
Olga and her Bottle Top House

Love and Upcycling Adventures!

Morwhenna

xx

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The Joy of a Mini Adventure...and where it might lead you

When was the last time you went on a Mini Adventure?

Adventures come in all shapes and sizes and after being away in Thailand earlier this year on a BIG adventure, since returning home I’m been even more interested in adventures on my own doorstep. 

You can find adventure everywhere – if you seek it out. 

This week I went on a mini-adventure to Clevedon, my nearest seaside town. After reading about the 2 minute beach clean initiative set up by Martin Dorey, I wanted to do one myself, So Monday morning I set off to do just that...

There were a few other people on the beach enjoying the sunshine when I arrived. I took out the bag I’d brought with me, the surgical latex glove (!) who knows what I'd find? set a timer on my phone for 2 minutes and set to work...

I’m pleased to say I didn't actually find that much rubbish to pick up, could be a different story after a storm. What I did find was 99% plastic; lolly-pop sticks; straws and bottle tops. All things that if swept back to sea would cause no end of problems for the marine life. 

In no time at all the alarm buzzed and that was it. 2 minutes up. OK this might not beyour idea of what an adventure looks like, to me Mini-Adventures mean exploring, experimenting and doing new stuff! Stuff that might tease you just a little bit out of your comfort zone...

It was Fast, It was Fun, and most of all it was satisfying!

I tied up my bag of collected rubbish and put it in the bin. 

Now time to explore.  I wandered along the beach front and a sign saying ‘To The Book Shop’ caught my eye. I went to investigate. 

The Clevedon Community Bookshop is set just one street back from the seafront and is a pretty fab place. The lady on the desk told me it became a community bookshop about two years ago and is run by volunteers. It was packed full of books that have mostly been donated and it was rather busy! 

I do love books and even though I’d promised myself I wasn't going to buy any more....can you guess what's coming?..... Yep...two books caught my eye. One aboutliving on Herm Island – and the other – well a Famous Five book by Enid Blyton! I used to LOVE reading these when I was growing up, and I can’t remember the last time I’d read one. Pleased with my purchases I skipped out the door in search of lashings of ginger beer....

Sharing my excitement I posted a pic to Instagram and was surprised anddelighted to discover that in fact the Famous Five book was actually the ‘Favourite book in the whole world’ of Martin Dorey the 2 minute beach clean founder.  Sadly he lost his copy when he was about 9, so once I’ve read it, I’m sending him this copy...This made me smile!!

We are always part of someone else’s Adventure whether we realise it or not. ;-)

What mini adventure can you go on today? And where will it lead you?

For August I’m going to continue my exploring and seeking of new places and experiences – with a twist. I’m going to focus on places within a 5 mile radius of where I live. To work this out I've use the free app on www.freemaptools.com. Pop in your postcode and as quick as a flash it works out what’s in that radius. Handy eh?!

What’s on your doorstep waiting to be discovered? Is there a place you've driven past a hundred times but never stopped to take a look? Has a new cafe opened in your area? Have you checked out the local paper/website?

Why not join me and go on your own mini adventures in August? 

In fact Psychologies Magazine are currently running a #30daysofadventure challenge...

LOVE to see and hear what you get up to in August!

Morwhenna
xx

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Sign up to my weekly Playletter to get some cool free stuff* and an invitation to join my Creative Adventurers Playground! Oh YEAH!

You'll get a copy of the *Dream Car Visualisation Podcast and a bonus email with a Facing your Fears video! Cool eh?

All I need from you is your beautiful name & email address! It will all be emailed to you within the hour. Enjoy! *required

Email Address*

First Name*

Last Name