A photographic picture book cutting into plastic sea waste
Photo editing · Research · Publication design
This photobook communicates the environmental issues of plastic through an educative and engaging narrative. Inspired by Comb for Otohime, a set of recycled combs by Rui Kikuchi, it reflects how the ugly truths of plastic are often hidden by the facade of beauty and aesthetic.
Animals made from plastic products were photographed and scanned to create a “plastic paradise”. The highly saturated and somewhat beautiful aesthetic is contrasted with the toxicity of the material. The narrative progresses with the animals reverting back to their original form, highlighting the true deadly form of the crafted creatures.
I would like readers to feel awed by the initial marine scenes, then gradually question their daily waste and consumption, as they are faced with the permanent damage plastic can have on our environment and health.
Different forms of plastic are used to represent marine life.
As shown above, a blue shopping bag is used to depict the sea and hint at the possible future of an ocean made of plastic.
The sequence of soy sauce fish bottles symbolise the plastic seemingly ‘breaking down’ yet remaining as harmful microplastics.
A turtle crafted from a green bottle reverts back to it’s original form to make the reader consider the consequences of plastic on marine animals.
