Extraordinary Art Exhibition turning trash to treasure – a creative approach to environmental action

The Goguikian Foundation opened yesterday its Extraordinary Art Exhibition, which was organized within the framework of its recycling campaign launched in Burj Hammoud and aiming at drawing attention to Lebanon’s solid waste problem. Rather than organizing a conference or lecture series, the foundation decided that an interactive and creative approach to environmental action would spark more meaningful responses from the public. The materials used in the compositions are largely inorganic plastics and metals which do not break down easily and take up space in Lebanon’s increasingly overburdened landfills.
Suheila Hayek, executive director of the foundation, told the Daily Star Newspaper that Lebanon is in desperate need of a national dialogue on solid waste, recycling and resource usage, adding that the exhibition offered the 40 participating artists the chance to lend their voices to the conversation, through making something out of what others might consider waste.
Hayek also indicated that Lebanon now is in trouble with its landfills that are oversaturated.This, she believes, is a matter of concern to all but; nevertheless, people tend to assume that politicians are the sole responsible for resolving this crisis.
Source: The Daily Star 20 June 2014