Tsuktiben Jamir
Due to its non-biodegradable nature, plastic poses a danger to our ecosystem and causes pollution that lasts for a very long time. The adverse effects of plastic highlight the critical need for sustainable alternatives and ethical consumption, from poisoning our seas and threatening marine life to entering our food chain. The Museum of Goa (MOG) devised a solution to this problem through the ‘Carpet of Joy.’
This was the brainchild of doctor-turned-artist Subodh Kerkar, whose artistic protest resulted in a stunning installation: the Carpet of Joy made of 1,50,000 used plastic bottles gathered from Goa’s beaches and hotels. They were then painted and transformed into flowers. The primary purpose of this installation was to foster awareness regarding the harmful consequences of littering, particularly with a focus on plastic waste, and advocate for the concept of a litter-free Goa.
The 100-meter-long public artwork, made up of painted plastic bottles made to resemble flowers, is located next to the Saligao Circle. This innovative idea draws inspiration from the renowned Israeli artist and architect Uri De Beer and his groundbreaking concept, ‘ Plastiflora.’ Uri De Beer, a celebrated artist with expertise in multiple disciplines, seamlessly blends practicality and spirituality in his creations. ‘Plastiflora’ refers to a captivating series of eco-art installations where Uri De Beer ingeniously employs discarded plastic materials, mainly used plastic bottles, to craft a diverse array of recycled synthetic foliage.
Courtesy: It’s Goa.
The installation has a double purpose, as visitors who stop by to snap photographs with the carpet covering the fields are requested to take an “anti-litter” pledge on a pedestal built alongside it. Making children involved in the endeavour, according to Kerkar, was essential. From collecting bottles to colouring and making flowers, they contributed to making the Carpet of Joy. 1,50,000 bottles were painted using around 1,500 litres of paint. Each child received 15-20 bottles and a pair of scissors to cut the bottles into flower-like shapes. Additionally, the Sailgao circular Panchayat provided support for the artwork.
Kerkar said, “There is plastic litter everywhere. Even the educated and the rich litter shamelessly. This situation can only change with the education of our children; the anti-litter idea has to be inculcated from an early age.”
Courtesy: It’s Goa.
With the gracious consent of Uri De Beer, the methodology employed to create the flower carpet drew inspiration from his original work. The expansive plastic carpet, which blankets a significant portion of land, rests upon a plastic net that extends beneath the flowers. The net features openings secured by the mouths of the bottles, forming a cohesive structure.
The commitment to educating individuals extends beyond the confines of the art installation. Kerkar has chosen to renounce smoking and drinking while actively organizing ‘Prabhat Pheris’ (morning processions) to enlighten people about the dangers posed by plastic.
