A digital collage and animation series installation responding to the plastic pollution crisis that affects thousands of innocent marine creatures in the ocean.
Plastic Fish was made out of hand-drawn and cut-out images from 27 different photos, capturing plastic
pollution scenes in different places around the world. The plastic fish itself was a combination of 42 layers,
fully used cut-out plastic images. The eyes were the only non-plastic part in its body, representing its imprisoned soul, struggling to survive.
While the 2 digital collages depict the torment that plastic pollution has caused to the marine life, seeking
sympathy, the animation, on the other hand, shows it in a different perspective that raises awareness.
A restaurant made from plastic waste, people wearing plastic garments, a tank full of plastic bottles, fish with
plastic organs, a plastic sushi knife, plate, chopsticks and even plastic food. Plastic has become an everyday thing, we are living with plastic; yes, we 'consume' plastic; we are the plastic fish.
The use of colour also plays an important role in Plastic Fish, where every used colour has a meaning and reason behind it. According to David Webster Lee: "The green of foliage is a symbol of life on our planet, an indicator of life’s productivity" [1]. Indeed, green is the colour of life on earth, whereas blue is the representation of aquatic life. Green, blue and purple are the 3 primary colours used in the series; purple symbolizes poison.
The installation was set up in a small, intimate space similar to a sushi restaurant with only one seat and a plastic table setting for one. The audience would take a seat and become an actual customer of this restaurant where the animation takes place and see themselves as the main character.
I'm a Vietnamese media artist who is currently living and studying in Canada. Besides filmmaking, I also enjoy culinary arts, photography, fashion, and animation. ‘Colourful’ ‘Dreamlike’ and ‘Childlike' are keywords that would best describe my artistic style. I love using vibrant colours in my art as they translate different emotions that express personality.
The beauty of an ordinary day is the most cherished moment I love to capture in my artwork. Through the use of personal perspectives and colours, my art often depicts the hidden beauty of everyday objects and how little things in life can make a person happy. I would also call my art the world full of wonder as I love to create a playful and dreamy environment. As a media artist, I value diversity and have never stopped myself from improving and exploring different practices and areas in art. My work can be very spontaneous and sometimes unpredictable because my feeling strongly influences how I perceive things around me, which I believe makes my art free and natural. The process of collecting footage is one of my favourite parts of finding emotional connection and inspiration. I love telling an obscure story in my art because it stimulates people's thoughts and makes them seek an answer
Visit Lavounie's site and Instagram to know more about herself and her work.
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