Art as a Tool for Ocean Conservation
Our Oceans are in Crisis, as the United Nations declared the decade of the Ocean to help fight pollution and promote the harvesting of the ocean resource sustainably. Many people around the world are doing their part to save our oceans, including contemporary artists. Harvesting the power of Art and Design to support ocean conservation. Through their art, they showcase the beauty of the ocean, as well as the devastating effects humans have had on the ocean. From textile art and ceramics to painting and paper sculptures, art in all forms is used to save our oceans. We at House Of Gharats have used the medium of Art and live installation to do our part.
House Of Gharats collaborated with the Commonwealth Fashion Council, to help build a Blue Economy through our ocean-friendly and sustainable collection; “Blue Fashion Silk Scarf Collection”, under the Blue Carter principles. The collection uses sustainably farmed, biodegradable material made from seaweed. To expand on our Blue Fashion mission, Neishaa Gharat, the Founder-Creative Director, created the Wishing Net installation at the Super Super Super event on 16 of September 2019 during London Fashion Week to invite wishes from fashion industry influencers and stakeholders. The live installation was inspired by the amazing work done by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), as we invited the public to cast their wishes for the ocean. Neishaa Gharat aims to foster emotional connections to and drive positive action for our ocean through art and engagement.
The Super Super Super, cofounded by Sam Magee, Zoe Lem & Becky Mullins, is a platform for change and collaboration within the fashion industry. They are passionate about sustainability, diversity, global connections, storytelling and not afraid to strategically disrupt by asking big questions that create conversations, connections and awareness for brands and creatives. Which makes a perfect match for us at House of Gharats, as we aim to change the world one scarf at a time, whilst working towards our mission of to being As Sustainable As Possible, As Soon As Possible.
Our oceans are under threat due to plastic pollution. Each year, at least 8 million tonnes of plastics leak into the ocean, which is equivalent to dumping the contents of one garbage truck into the ocean every minute. If no action is taken, this is expected to increase to two per minute by 2030 and four per minute by 2050¹. Working under the 14th goal; “Life below water” from the UN sustainable development goals, we wanted to battle plastic pollution in the best way we can; by raising awareness about it.
The Wishing Net: Million Wishes for Our Oceans
The installation was created by upcycling an old fishing net and inviting the public to voice their anxieties and wishes for the future of the oceans. Vistors at the Super Super Super event were asked to write their wish for the oceans and tie them to our wishing net. The wishes cards were made from upcycled paper, which was cut into marine shapes, as we interacted with fashion influencers and Fashionistas. The public was keen to interact with the installation and share their concerns. People were passionate about keeping the plastic out of our oceans and protecting the diverse marine life.
“I wish for our Oceans to be plastic-free one day!”
People make change happen, and we need your wishes to make them come true. By casting a wish you are engaging in thinking about our oceans and are contributing to raising awareness. Our objective is to collect a million wishes by 2020. Help us to reach our goal. Join us on Instagram or Facebook @HouseOfGharats to cast your wish for the ocean and help raise awareness. Sea you there.
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