PLASTIC LAPTOP COMPUTER PRINTER DIGITAL SCREEN MOUSE PLASTIC CABLES STORAGE BOX PRINTER TONER PACKAGES BUBBLE WRAP AIR FILLED PACKAGING FOR BOOKS CLEAR PLASTIC STORAGE BOX ROUTER WATER BOTTLE POWER ADAPTER SHRINK WRAP-AROUND BOOK ZIP LOCK BAG SPINDLE FOR CD CASE PLASTIC BAG DVD CASE EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE CASE STICKY TAPE DRIVERS LICENCE MEDICARE CARD
$100 NOTE $50 NOTE $20 NOTE $10 NOTE $5 NOTE CREDIT CARD BIROS SPIRAL BOUND BOOK RECORDS CABLES LOT OF CABLES CAMERA TRIPOD KNOBS ON ADJUSTABLE CHAIR KNOBS ON FEET OF CHAIR CAMERA LENS CAP STAPLER POLAROID CAMERA BINDER CLIPBOARD RING BINDER MAGAZINE RACKS PLASTIC A 4 SHEET PROTECTORS STAPLER VACUUM CLEANER TEXTAS NAME CARD HOLDER KAZOO WHITEBOARD PLASTIC TUBS FOR PAPERS PLASTIC TRAY DRAWERS PLASTIC BOX FOR BUSINESS CARDS PLASTIC INDEX CARD HOLDER BUBBLE WRAP PLASTIC PACKAGING TAPE PLASTIC GLUE BOTTLE PLASTIC SHARPIES CASTORS OF DESK PLASTIC HANDLE OF INK ROLLER LUNCHBOXES PLASTIC BOTTLES OF COLOURED INKS PLASTIC TUBS BUBBLE WRAP ICE CUBE TRAY ART PALETTE CAPS ON PAINT TUBES ENGRAVING TOOL CASE PLASTIC RETRACTABLE KNIFE PLASTIC HANDLES PLASTIC INTERNATIONAL PLUG ADAPTORS PLASTIC PARTS OF A HOLE PUNCHER PLASTIC PARTS OF A STAPLER STICKY TAPE DISPENSER PLASTIC TEXTA LIDS PENS PENCIL SHARPENER PLASTIC STRESS BALL FILM CANISTER TRAVEL TAGS CD COVERS PLASTIC TRACING PAPER HIGHLIGHTERS VELCRO BACKING SET SQUARE AND PROTRACTOR EARPHONES BACKPACK CLIPS KEYTAGS GIFT RIBBON FISHING LINE RCA CABLES CORFLUTE PLASTIC MANILA ENVELOPES PLASTIC WRAPPING AROUND BOX OF ENVELOPES COATING ON PHOTOS ACRYLIC PAINT PERSPEX BLISTER PACK FOR BATTERIES ROLLER BLIND AND STRING OF TO MAKE IT GO UP-AND-DOWN ADJUSTABLE ERGONOMIC CHAIR DEVICE FOR HOLDING LAPTOP RING BINDER SPIRAL BOUND A 4 DOCUMENT TYPE WRITER OLD MAC LAPTOP PACKAGES FOR ENVELOPES SHRINK WRAP FOR BOOK CD COVERS WALL CLOCK PLASTIC BOX FOR 3-D PRINTED OBJECT 3-D PRINTED OBJECT HARD DRIVE EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE DOCUMENT DRAWERS LIGHT SWITCHES DOWN LIGHTS IN CEILING CONTACT COVERING ON TEXTBOOK CAMERA FIXTURE TO JOIN DIGITAL CAMERA TO TRIPOD BATTERY RECHARGER SAMSONITE SUITCASE FILLER FOR DOOR SNAKE THAT BLOCKS THE AIR FROM THE FRONT DOOR RACK OF SHOES EVERY ONE OF THEM HAS PLASTIC ON THEM PLASTIC UMBRELLA LANYARD COVER FOR OPAL CARD PLASTIC TEE LIGHT COVERING PICTURE FRAME JEWELLERY CASE BEDSIDE LAMP MOISTURIZER BOTTLE EAR PLUGS TISSUE BOX COATING DIRTY CLOTHES WASHING BASKET POLYESTER CLOTHING BY THE TON CLOTHES HANGERS BEDSIDE CLOCK CEILING FAN PLASTIC REMOTE CONTROL FOR CEILING FAN COMPONENTS OF DREAM CATCHER PLASTIC BUTTONS PICTURE OF A SLOTH KIDS COAT RACK ZIPLOC BAG ELECTRONIC THERMOMETER BEDSIDE CLOCK KIDS FLUFFY TOYS NO DOUBT MADE OUT OF POLYESTER KIDS NIGHTLIGHT CABLES FOOD TRAY TUPPERWARE MAGIC SAND BOX KIDS TOYS BY THE TON MAGIC GENIE LAMP WALLET CDS & CD CASES BOUNCY BALLS DEODORANT TUBES OF OINTMENT DENTAL FLOSS SHAVING CREAM TOOTHPASTE TOOTHBRUSH SHREK TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER PLASTIC FILLINGS IN MY TEETH TOILET SEAT TOILET COMPONENTS TOILET BRUSH BATH TOYS PLUG BASKET FOR PLANT NAIL BRUSH EYE DROP AMPOULES MEDICINE CABINET FIRST AID KIT BANDAID PACKAGING HAIR BRUSH PLASTIC COMBS CHESTY COUGH LIQUID CAP CALAMINE LOTION CAP NAIL BRUSH PLASTIC NETI POT SACHETS PLASTIC STORAGE BOXES FOR MEDICINES PLASTIC BAG FOR THE COTTON BALLS KIDS FACE CREAM TUB BODY CREAM TUB SHAMPOO BOTTLE CONDITIONER BOTTLE PLASTIC RAZOR TO SHAVE MY LEGS SQUEEGEE BOTTLE CAPS AIR FRESHENER HANDWASH PUMP PACK WITCHHAZEL BOTTLE PLASTIC DETTOL BOTTLE OF OIL SUNSCREEN PLASTIC WRAPPING AROUND SOAP BOX OF COTTON BUDS LIP BALM PLASTIC PILL BOTTLES MEASURING CUP BETADINE BOTTLE TUB OF VASELINE EYEDROPPER COATING ON TWEEZERS OINTMENT TUBES PACKET OF NAIL FILES BLISTER PACKS OF PAINKILLERS SOAPBOX EYE DROPS IN PLASTIC AMPOULES PLASTIC BANDAIDS ICE CREAM TUB MAKE YOUR OWN PERFUME KIT POLYESTER DOONAS AND SHEETS MISCELLANEOUS PLASTIC BANDS FOR HOLDING SHEETS LOUNGE ROOM LIGHT COVER KIDS MAGIC LAMP FANCY BALL VINYL COVERING ON POUFFES TISSUE BOX WITH PLASTIC COVER RECORD PLAYER STEREO PLUGS FOR THE STEREO SPEAKERS FOR THE STEREO PLANT POTS WALL UNIT PLASTIC RECORDER LOTS OF KIDS GAMES PASS THE PIGS PLASTIC BOXES FOR CARD GAMES LIKE TOP TRUMPS PLASTIC BOX FOR RECORD PLAYER CLEANING DEVICE KIDS MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS RING BINDER FOLDERS FOR RECIPES LP RECORDS AND THEIR PLASTIC SLEEVES UKULELE CASE UKULELE STRINGS GAS HEATER COMPONENTS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC HARRY POTTER PUZZLE WITH PLASTIC INSERT HOLDING ALL THE PUZZLE PIECES RECIPE BOOKS WITH PLASTIC SLEEVES PLANT POT LAMP PLASTIC BUCKETS HOLDING LOTS OF PENS AND TEXTAS ZIPLOC BAGS TAGS FROM A HOTEL PLASTIC RAINCOAT PLASTIC WIG WORN AS GINNY WEASLEY TO KIDS BOOK WEEK PLASTIC TAKEAWAY CONTAINER FILLED WITH JAGGERY PLASTIC GLASSES PLASTIC CONTAINER FILLED WITH KIDS SLIME SLIME ITSELF KINDLE PLASTIC LAMINATED CALENDAR PLASTIC WALL CLOCK AERO PRESS COFFEE MAKER RECHARGEABLE BIKE LIGHT PLUGGED INTO PLASTIC USB CHARGER PLUGGED INTO A WALL SOCKET MADE OUT OF PLASTIC KETTLE WITH PLASTIC COMPONENTS ON THE HANDLE COFFEE MAKER WITH PLASTIC COMPONENTS ON THE HANDLE COFFEE TAMPER MADE OUT OF PLASTIC USB SPEAKER MADE OUT OF PLASTIC DISHWASHER WITH MANY PLASTIC COMPONENTS PLASTIC CAKE BOX SYNTHETIC PAINT BRUSHES DISH BRUSH VINEGAR BOTTLE PLASTIC SPRAY BOTTLE HAND WASH PLASTIC DISH WASHING CONCENTRATE PLASTIC COMPOST BUCKETS BREAD BOX MADE OUT OF PLASTIC TONGS PLASTIC MANY COMPONENTS ON THE TOASTER LITTLE BOXES THAT HAVE MISCELLANEOUS TABLETS DEAD BATTERIES MADE OUT OF PLASTIC LIDS ON ALL THE SPICES IN THE SPICE RACK PLASTIC PLASTIC CONTAINERS THAT HAVE CAKE DECORATING SUPPLIES MICROWAVE OVEN MADE OUT OF PLASTIC OVEN WITH PLASTIC COMPONENTS SCISSORS WITH PLASTIC HANDLES EXHAUST FAN SALT IN PLASTIC SHAKER SALT CELLAR PLASTIC CHOPPING BOARDS OF ALL DIFFERENT COLORS SHAPES AND SIZES PLASTIC WRAPPED LOLLIES PLASTIC CONTAINERS FOR PASTA AND NOODLES GARLIC SLICER LEGS AND ARMS OF DOLLS CHUX PLASTIC PEPPER SHAKER PLASTIC TEA CADDY KEEP CUP WATER BOTTLE VEGETABLE PEELER BASTING BRUSH PEPPER GRINDER KNIFE HANDLES CAKE SPATULA EGG FLIPPER ICE CUBE TRAYS BASTING BRUSH PLASTIC COATING ON DISHRACK SAUCEPAN HANDLES MIXING WAND BLENDER JUICER DEHYDRATOR ALL THE INTERNAL PARTS OF THE FRIDGE TUBE OF WASABI YOGHURT TUB BEETROOT DIP TUB OF OLIVES TUB OF FETTA TUB OF ICECREAM BREAD BAG FROZEN PEAS BAG GEL PACK ICE PACKS ICE BRICKS SODASTREAM AND SODASTREAM BOTTLES PLASTIC CASING AROUND FOOD PROCESSOR FOOR DEHYDRATOR PLASTIC STORAGE CADDIES CLING WRAP PLASTIC PACKAGING FOR RICE AND NOODLES AND PASTA AND PEARL BARLEY AND SEAWEED PLASTIC SPICE PACKETS PLASTIC LIDS ON ALL THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF VINEGAR AND SAUCES PLASTIC CONTAINERS IN THE FRIDGE PLASTIC STICKERS ON APPLES AND LEMONS PLASTIC MILK BOTTLES DUSTPAN AND BRUSH PLASTIC TRAVEL TAGS CABLE TIES PLASTIC HANDLES ON WALKING POLES PLASTIC TUBE AND MOUTH PIECE AND BLADDER OF CAMELBAK DRINKING SYSTEM FOR BUSHWALKING PLASTIC BROOM PLASTIC STORAGE CONTAINERS OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES FOR ALL OF OUR TOOLS AS THE BOXES FOR POWER TOOLS THE POWER TOOLS THEMSELVES MADE OUT OF PLASTIC A WHOLE BASKET FULL OF DOUBLE ADAPTORS EVERYTHING MADE OUT OF PLASTIC YOGURT CONTAINER FILLED WITH PLASTIC PERMANENT MARKERS A SMALL PLASTIC CONTAINER WITH MISCELLANEOUS STUFF INCLUDING CRAYONS WALL PLUGS SOME CHAIRS MADE OUT PLASTIC TENNIS RACKET WITH A VINYL COVER AND PLASTIC STRINGS SEWING BOXES PLASTIC CUTTING MAT SCREWDRIVER HANDLE PLASTIC PAINTS LIGHT BULBS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC BACKPACK MADE OUT OF SOME SORT OF POLYESTER GRANDMA SHOPPING TROLLEY MADE OUT OF PLASTIC BUILDERS STRING POLYESTER ROPES MEDICINES PACKAGED IN PLASTIC BLISTER WRAPS BASKETS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC CROCS SHOES SNEAKERS THE SOLES OF MY BLUNDSTONES PLASTIC HATS A PLASTIC WIND UP RECHARGEABLE TORCH PLASTIC RAINCOATS PLASTIC WASHING MACHINE AGITATOR ALL THE WASHING POWDER COMES PACKAGED IN PLASTIC CONTAINER FOR WOOL AND DELICATES PLASTIC CONTAINER FOR PRE WASH STAIN REMOVER EUCALYPTUS OIL SUNSCREEN PLASTIC SCRUBBING BRUSH ABOUT A DOZEN PAIRS OF SWIMMING GOGGLES SWIMMING BAG PLASTIC TURPS BOTTLES MR. MUSCLE FURNITURE WAX BLEACH PLASTIC SPONGE IN A SHRINK WRAP OF PLASTIC GREASE REMOVER IN PLASTIC SPRAY AND WIPE FOR GLASS CLOTHES IN THE WASHING MACHINE HALF OF THEM WITH BITS OF POLYESTER IN THEM PLASTIC SKIN CLEANSER IN PLASTIC BOTTLE METAL RACK IN BATHROOM WITH COVERING MADE OUT OF PLASTIC SHOWER HEAD PLASTIC THANK YOU MILK BODY WASH PLASTIC KITCHEN CABINET WOULD NO DOUBT BE MADE OUT OF PLASTIC SINK PLUGS ALL MADE OUT OF PLASTIC TOILET SEAT AIR FRESHENER PLASTIC SUNSCREEN PLASTIC SYRINGES KIDS INFLATABLE DONKEY TOY PLASTIC WATERING CANS PLASTIC MOP BUCKET PLASTIC SPONGE PLASTIC SQUEEGEE MOP HEAD DOG BALL DECORATIVE ROPE MADE OUT OF PLASTIC HELMETS MADE OUT PLASTIC BIKES WITH MANY PLASTIC COMPONENTS SWIMMING COSTUMES FLIPPERS HAGRID TOY COTTON REELS PLASTIC CLOTHES RACK DIPPED IN PLASTIC BASKETBALL PLASTIC SOCCERBALL PLASTIC KIDS BEACH TOYS PLASTIC BICYCLE BELLS PLASTIC OUTDOOR PLAY EQUIPMENT WITH SLIDE GUINEA PIG RUN PLASTIC BOTTLES FOR THEIR DRINKS PLASTIC CAR DASHBOARD POTPLANT PLASTIC GAPFILLER AROUND THE DOOR PLASTIC SHIRT BUTTONS PVC PLUMBING PIPES PLASTIC COATING ON WIRES TUBE OF HAND CREAM PLASTIC STEGOSAURUS PLANT POT CORD LINE SWITCH ON BEDSIDE LAMP THE HANDS OF A CLOCK PLASTIC LINT BRUSH CEILING FAN REMOTE CONTROL READING GLASSES FROM THE CHEMIST PLASTIC DONGLE CASING TV CASING BABY DOLL PLASTIC WASHING MACHINE AGITATOR DISHBRUSH SCRUBBING BRUSH SCOURER NAIL BRUSH POWER POINT PHONE CHARGER GLUESTICK SHOELACE EYELETS PLIERS HANDLE DRILL CASING ELECTRIC JIGSAW CASING CIRCULAR SAW CASING SCREW CASE PLASTIC STORAGE CASES FOR SCREWS AND NAILS GARDEN HOSE AND FITTINGS WHIPPERSNIPPER CORD PLASTIC SHELVING FOLD OUT TRESTLE TABLE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS EXPANDING FILE SAW HANDLE SAFETY GLASSES EAR MUFFS DENTAL FLOSS GUITAR
PLECTRUMS SUNGLASSES COAT HANGERS GRASS CATCHER PLASTIC CLOTHES PEGS MILK CRATES THE PLASTIC CLADDING COVERING MY ENTIRE HOUSE WHEELIE BINS PLASTIC
Plastic Free Manifesto
Lucas Ihlein & Kim Williams
We wrote this with a plastic pen
And again
With a plastic keyboard
We made a manifesto
It was very sober
and responsible
It acknowledged country
It pledged to take responsibility
and eliminate plastics
where possible
But then we saw you everywhere!
You are irresistible, plastic
You’re in the guts of fish and birds
You wrap yourself around necks
You float in the troposphere
You are a guest in our bodies
We buy you, we eat you, we eat with you
We inhale you, we shit you
We are ungrateful, we throw you away!
Our hair falling out:
plastic.
The invisible particles of skin that flake off everyday
Accumulating as piles of dust under the bed and behind the
couch:
plastic.
What will we do?
We will make art!
We had a look at some manifesti
Mierle’s Maintenance Art Manifesto
Captured something of what we’re grappling with.
The banality of maintenance:
After the revolution, who’s going to do the washing up?
We
As it happens
Are trying to “sell”
Washing up –
As an art activity
It may be a hard sell
The seven-year-old girl
Knows about this stuff
Sometimes
She does “news” talks at school
About plastics
About balloons and the turtles that choke on them
She recommends lobbying council
She recommends contacting scientists
She recommends not having balloons at your party
She knows about this stuff
But when the supermarket
starts to give away “Ooshies”
These little plastic collectible Lion King characters
She begs us to shop there
So she too
Like all her seven-year-old friends
can collect them
She knows about plastic
She knows about this stuff
But she still wants Ooshies.
We Are
Collectively
Civilisationally
A seven-year-old girl
We know about this stuff
We know it’s going to end up in landfill
Ooshies are never going away
Because there is no “away”.
And
We still want Ooshies.
or maybe not.
Maybe we try to do things differently
We have a crack at Plastic Free July
Shop at the food co-op
Bring our own bags
Make our own hummus
Get a “Keep Cup”
But the river of plastic has not stopped flowing
DESPITE!
our efforts
We cannot stop it
It is who we are
So what will we do?
We will make art!
We will think about you, plastic
What do we really need from you?
We will stalk your molecules
We will follow you from the factory to the sea
We will pay attention to you and we will ignore you
We will slow down
We will eat our food on china plates
Drink our drinks from china cups
Wash up after ourselves, paying attention
Let critters eat our scraps and make rich soil
We will return to you
We will talk with you in public
We will dream you out of our bodies
and waterways
and economies
and we will not stop thinking about you
Whitefella Trash is not Bio-Degradable
Aunty Barbara Nicholson
Whitefella you very clever fella,
take idea from real thing, make it fake thing.
Think you make real thing better than Biamee,
think you more cleverer than Biamee.
Biamee make mountain, sea, lake, river,
he make tree, flower, koala, kangaroo,
he make all them fellas.
You make plastics, Biamee not make plastics,
must be you more cleverer than Biamee.
You make one big whitefella plastic throat,
make plenty fellas plastic knee, plastic hip.
Yeah, you clever fella alright.
Miss bandbox cover girl
that one kirribilli kutie,
think you more smart than Biamee.
She lookin’ at all whitefella rubbish,
tut tut tuttin’ ‘bout lazy black fella
not clean up mess.
She get told pretty smart
whitefella trash not bio-degradable.
Notes
