Turning Plastic Waste into Art
Every one of the Women Mind the Water podcasts features an artist who works in a different medium. The newest podcast shares the work of Yustina Salnikova, a designer/sculptor whose large scale creations are meant to encourage environmental awareness and social change. Yustina’s creation Ethyl, an 82-foot-long Blue Whale, earned her the distinction of Guinness Record Holder for creating the World’s largest recycled plastic sculpture. In the podcast, Yustina shares pictures of the process of turning plastic waste into an enormous sculpture. Previous episodes include artists who work with glass, felt, and plaster. Episode 9 features Polly Dawson responsible for the magical underwater photograph of a mermaid wedding proposal. Episode 10 features accomplished violinist Sophie Davis who combines music and art designed to cultivate environmental stewardship. What connects ALL the artists on the Women Mind the Water podcasts is that their inspiration comes from the ocean.
Coming soon in the artwork section is Cool Water Canaries , a memorial to the beluga whales of Cook Inlet, Alaska. Belugas are sometimes called sea canaries in recognition of the sounds they make. The Cook Inlet population of beluga whales are critically endangered due to a nearly 75% decline in population since 1979. Once estimated to be about 1,300 whales the population has dipped to around 330 today. These belugas face threats from many sources including energy exploration, fishing, noise pollution and habitat degradation.
Also, coming soon is a podcast episode with author/comic illustrator Karen Romano Young who has written nearly 30 science-oriented books for young people. Karen creates a weekly science comic called Antarctic Log. She has visited Antarctica three times and has twice been on deep sea dives in Alvin a submersible designed to travel to ocean depths where no light penetrates. . Karen is passionate about combining art and science, particularly when it has to do with ocean science. She will discuss her weekly science comic called Antarctic Log.