This is the story about one of humanity’s most astonishing embarrassments. When entering Central Saint Martins, University of Arts and Design, I had my plan ready. I wanted to create a global environmental art project around the trash islands - a project which through numerous activities would raise funds and create attention in order to fight one of the largest and most neglected environmental th
reats on the planet - the plastic pollution of the oceans. The idea is very simple and straightforward.
- How can I create a higher level of engagement around the plastic polluted oceans through humour and different art forms? Later on this year, there will be a global press conference where we proclaim a new nation on earth: Wasteland. Here we will also present our flag, our national anthem, our official language (rubbish) and our constitution. We will also officially apply for membership in the United Nations. Wasteland represents “The Bad conscious of human kind”, and the goal of Wasteland is to exterminate itself. Therefor I will create a foundation that will give out two different prices a year, one of them is the “Clean Conscious Award” that goes to a person and/or company that has done something good for the environment. The other award the “Dirty Conscious award” that of course goes to a person and/or company that has done the opposite, contributing to the pollution. In this matter it would be very beneficial to have support from politicians and environment. The companies I aim to disturb and shake are the ones who keep on destroying the oceans. The idea is to reach politicians and push them to make a change. This is a Global problem that affects us all, more then we can ever imagine. Plastic has become integral to our daily lives and it has many great applications, but now science shows the harmful effects it has on people, places and animals our global community should be rethinking how we use this material in modern life. Here are some general facts about this new nation:
-Wasteland is an independent, non-political and non-religious country consisting of five islands of shifting shape and size - two of them situated in the Atlantic, two in the Pacific and one in the Indian Ocean.
-Wasteland has no export/import and its only natural resource is plastic.
-Wasteland has no inhabitants but anyone - regardless of culture, religion, ethnical background, income or political view - can easily become a citizen just by visiting the website. To get a Wastelandic passport however, one needs to participate in the daily fight against plastic pollution.
-The first paragraph of Wastelands constitution states that the number one priority for all Wastelandic officials and civilians is to contribute, in any way, to the immediate extermination of the nation.
-Wasteland communicates with its citizens only via its website (soon to be announced). Here one can find facts about Wastelands partners in the fight against itself, search citizenship, make donations, discuss topics on plastic pollution, participate in different campaigns etc. The website is also where the president of Wasteland makes his speaches to the nation.
