“Garbage In, Garbage Out” Disposal of Waste: A Concept for Reviving Plastic Waste into Art Objects

Abstract

This study investigated the plastic waste challenges to the environment of some parts of Takoradi Technical University’s (TTU) main campus, Effiakuma - new site, Takoradi-Ghana. The study, therefore, explored the concept of Garbage in, Garbage out waste disposal in producing functional art objects (flower vases) from the realization of the plastic waste challenges. Under the qualitative approach, the studio-based inquiry was adopted for the study. The studio data collection was done using personal interviews and direct observation to solicit data from 15 purposively sampled respondents. The sample size for the study consisted of two TTU management staff, five art lecturers, and eight students. The studio data were analyzed using a visual analysis tool and a studio-based production process. This process allowed the study to reflect on the practical explanation of exploring plastic waste in art. The production process of the studio-based practice brought some practicability and viability of plastic waste as a material into art, as was evident in the flower vase produced. The study concluded that art lecturers and student artists on TTU's main campus should focus on the viability of plastic waste as creative materials for art.

Keywords

• Art
• Environment
• Plastic Waste
• Studio-Based Inquiry
• Takoradi Technical University

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