Ode to the Ocean
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
Ode to the Ocean is a poetic journey of beautiful creatures in times of crisis, uncertainty and rising water levels. It is a statement for conscious clothing at all levels. The Ode is designed of consciously and ethically clothing items. Here, humans and fishes are interacting in a symbiotic, light and colorful way. A small boat/ arch in a sea of shells, overlooked by fishes in the air. It calls for respect for nature, for the element water and life below water, the life line of Venice.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
How we dress is a means to express ourselves. We can send powerful messenges.
Fashion Industry, in particular fast and mass fashion production, is a major contributor to global pollution of water air and soil throughout its lifetime cycle. Demand for clothing items worldwide has doubled since the year 2000. while the frequency of using each item before disposing it has dramatically fallen And so has the quality of the clothing. Increased use of synthetic fibers in the composition of fabrics has contributed to the plastic waste pollution and micro plastics lead in the water and in the fishes. Waste pollution and micro particle load in the water and in fishes. Researchers predict that by 2050 there will be likely more plastic in the ocean than fish. Global water and the below water are in a critical condition (SDG(). And so is the fashion sector. Time for a global fashion disrupt.
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Key objectives for sustainability
The project is fully perceived in sustainable design thinking. All materials are ready to be integrated into circular design. No non circular materials have been used.
It has been produced with no or low waste techniques and low emissions. Havier goods like the boat have been rented in Venice for the duration of the event. The shells have been reinserted into the Ocean. The techniques applied have been communicated to the audience and the cultural communicators in the Palazzo Michiel, who had been before briefed about the project, it aims and sustainability.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Ode to the Ocean stands for a sustainable clothing production. all natural materials have been used, and the works have been produced in small ateliers by a master tailor. The wearer will experience the difference of wearing a natural material on the body instead of plastic. It is good and beautiful not only from outside but also from inside. No cruelty against animals or humans. In full beauty!
Key objectives for inclusion
The works exposed have no restrictions regarding, age, sex, ethnicity, gender orientation. Only limit is the personal taste and the willingness to wear it. It is even possible to use the work as an object of art and consider it a textile sculpture.
Results in relation to category
It has further contributed to a discussion about the conditions so called fashion is produced and which impact we have as consumer should we support with our purchase this system. It has further contributed to the discussion about climate change and what citizen can contribute to act consciously.. It is clearly a lifestyle choice to avoid certain clothing items just for the way they are produced and to say NO to unethically and unsustainably produced. products. In the dimension possible, it has explained and provided background of current practises and what the consumer can do and how to change behaviour. The round table LandArt certainly contributed to the perception of artists and designers as advocated for a better and cleaner views in times of crisis. Final closing ceremony with the performative act added another perspective on the theme of the Ocean, the fishes and fashion.
How Citizens benefit
This project has risen the awareness among the visitors of the event VENICE DESIGN 2019 for the impact uncontrolled consumption of fashion items has on the environment. In a sensitive eco system like the lagoon city of Venice the impact on the environmental aspects became easily visible. The acqua alta, a phenomenon that occurs very year, had reached record height in that year. With 1,87 m almost 90% of the surface of the city have been under water. The effect on the flooding was immediately felt. Towards the end of the period of exhibition, end of November, it was hardly possible to reach the closing ceremony without rubber boots. It created an atmosphere among the audience of tension.
The civil society has been involved actively. In course of the duration, May til November of the year, about 180000 people have seen the installation Ode to the Ocean. The cultural scouts were instrumental in explaining the the visiting guests the role and intended
Innovative character
The innovative character is to tell a story which is carried by positive characters like the fishes.
