SEA CHANGE - PLASTIC PLANET
Plastic Planet was a large-scale public art installation unveiled on Earth Day 2023 and decommissioned on Earth Day 2024. The project was funded by Stanford University and created by New York–based artist Jean Shin. The installation was located at the center of Diani, positioning environmental awareness directly within a high-visibility public space.
Project Concept and Purpose
Plastic Planet was conceived as a visual and experiential response to the growing crisis of plastic pollution, particularly its impact on oceans and coastal environments.
The installation depicted a powerful ocean wave constructed from plastic materials, symbolizing both the scale of marine plastic pollution and its constant movement through ecosystems and human life. By placing the artwork in a public setting, the project transformed an abstract global issue into a visible and unavoidable local reality.
The aim was to provoke reflection, conversation, and awareness rather than provide technical solutions.
Why the Project Was Important
Plastic pollution is one of the most persistent environmental threats facing coastal communities. Plastics accumulate in oceans, enter food chains, and degrade ecosystems that support tourism, fisheries, and livelihoods.
Despite widespread awareness, plastic pollution often remains invisible in everyday life. Plastic Planet addressed this gap by using public art to make the issue visible, emotional, and accessible to a broad audience, including residents, visitors, and policymakers.
The project demonstrated how art can function as an effective tool for environmental education and public engagement.
Public Engagement and Visibility
Located in a central public area, the installation reached a wide and diverse audience over its one-year duration. Residents encountered the artwork in their daily routines, while visitors experienced it as part of the destination landscape.
The installation encouraged informal learning, discussion, and reflection, helping to embed environmental awareness within the social and cultural fabric of the community.
Its temporary nature reinforced the message of urgency and impermanence, reflecting the fragile state of marine ecosystems.