We are always hunting high and low for innovative ways to reduce and reuse the plethora of plastic bags in our midst. The New York-based design firm, MSLK, is currently proposing an innovative and creative way for Inhabitat readers and concerned citizens to link together “2,663 bags” – the alarming amount of bags consumed every second in America – by having folks donate their unwanted plastic sacs to the 2.663 Urban Tumbleweed Project. The jetsam and flotsam of modern life can now be used to visualize just how crucial it is to curb our consumption and laissez-faire attitudes towards the ubiquitous shopping bag.
Read on for details on how you can participate and put household plastic bags to good use for this collaborative crusade>>
It is no surprise that free floating plastic bags are often referred to as “urban tumbleweed” in our city neighborhoods because of their weed-like, drifting quality. MSLK’s art installation proposes to hand-tie all collected bags together in a chain made out of 2,663 linked plastic bags – a visualization of only 1 second of bag consumption in the States. The design group states, “By visually translating current statistics, the installation brings awareness to our society’s mindless over consumption and the severe environmental impacts.”
MSLK aims to exhibit their art installation at the Burning Man Festival in the Nevada desert at the end of Summer 2008, and therefore needs to gather 2,663 shopping bags no later than Monday, June 30th, 2008.
MSLK will accept any plastic shopping bags provided that they meet the following criteria:
1. they are clean, dry, and free of debris 2. they are made of plastic 3. they have handles that are same material as the bag body (we use these to tie and link the bags together) 4. optional: they would like to have color in the chain, so the more colorful the bags the better!
If you are interested in participating, please contact Claudia by email claudia (at) mslk.com to arrange a drop off or pick up of your donations.
Thank you in advance for your support and participation!
+ MSLK + 2.663 Urban Tumbleweed Project on MSLK blog + Burning Man 2008
