Moloka'i. 05.05.2019
In this project I'm looking at the impacts of plastic marine debris in the Hawaiian Islands. I’m photographing on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Moloka’i, and Hawai’i Island to visually document and tell a comprehensive story of what communities are facing across the islands and how they are responding.
Washed Ashore: Hawaiian Islands
Elizabeth Weber | United States
Photographer: Elizabeth Weber
Exhibit Title: Washed Ashore: Hawaiian Islands
Location: United States
Washed Ashore: Hawaiian Islands is a documentary project focusing on the impacts of marine plastic pollution in the Hawaiian Islands, with a subsequent focus on the impacts of abandoned commercial fishing nets. The project looks at plastic marine debris in relation to the natural environment it is found in, and in relation to the people and marine life that are affected by it directly.
Marine Plastic Typology focuses on microplastics within the larger project. As I have been photographing, I have noticed how the smaller pieces slowly break down and inundate the natural environment. To illustrate what is there, I pick up plastic pieces on the beach for a half hour and lay them out to be photographed. I then place this image next to an image of the place where they were found, creating a diptych. This part of the project is about slowing down and looking closely at what is there.
This is a current and ongoing project 2018- 2022
The relationship between humans and the natural world is at the center of this work. The human element is woven throughout the issue of plastic pollution, as it is the goodwill, effort and ingenuity of people that will solve this environmental crisis. And of course each of these plastic pieces and nets hold the human element- as they come from our use, our overuse, and our ability as humans to ignore, or deny, our own personal impact.
Hawaii Wildlife Fund
Surfrider Kauai
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