A gyre is a swirling vortex. The surface circulation of our oceans is dominated by gyres that may be hundreds to thousands of miles in diameter. It is these gyres that re-distribute and aggregate debris in our oceans. Alaska's shores are the northern fringe of the North Pole Pacific Gyre.
The five major gyres around the world. A team of scientists and artists explored the coast of Alaska and collected plastics most likely deposited from the North Pacific Gyre. This expedition and exhibition explores the relationship between humans and our oceans. While some of the artwork was incredible I was overwhelmed with despair at the amount of plastic debris in our oceans. The environmental impact of plastics is staggering. I so hope this exhibit comes to the Austin area. I look forward to using some of the exhibits resources for a recycling unit.
Just one example of plastics found in our oceans. Plastic is one of the main types of OCEAN TRASH found in our oceans.