Five art installations are installed in different places of Klaipėda. The installation “Clean seashore” at the pier cafe “Ateik ateik” urges not to leave garbage on the coast of the Baltic Sea. A lot of glass, food packaging, various plastic wastes are still found in the dunes and sandy beaches, which are often swallowed by birds and other animals. The resulting waste turns into toxic substances, such as microplastics, which are increasingly found in the bodies of fish and other animals.
Photo of the Environmental Protection Agency/Installation “Clean seashore”
The mirror placed at the open-air cafe “Ateik atek” next to the Danė River is not just for looking at yourself. The installation “Ateik” sends the message that while nurturing our appearance, we use various hygiene and beauty products – shampoos, masks, cleansers, make-up products – that contain substances harmful to health (parabens). They still enter groundwater and surface water from sewage systems.
The installation “Earth therapy” has been installed in Atgimimo Square in Klaipėda. Paradoxically, drugs intended for improving health can harm the environment – a number of active substances of pharmaceutical preparations exceeding the norms are still found in water bodies. This is determined not only by the high use of medicines, but also by the irresponsible disposal of outdated or obsolete preparations.
Environmental Protection Agency photo/Earth Therapy
A clear “Message in a bottle” on Dane’s waterfront. The Dane River is still “painted” by spilled oil and other industrial products, “decorated” by the garbage brought by rain and wind, left by us carelessly. Agricultural fertilizers, residues of household detergents and detergents enter the river with wastewater. The phosphates in their composition promote the growth of aquatic plants, and when these are present and decay, the so-called water bloom begins. Due to this, the concentration of oxygen in the water decreases, fish and other aquatic animals suffocate.
Another installation “Fisherman’s Net” is on the coast of Dane. Along with rainwater, a lot of different garbage enters Dane – smoke, plastic packaging residues, car oils, worn-out tire particles, household and industrial chemicals. But is the Dane River really just a trash can into which we can throw everything?
Photo of the Environmental Protection Agency/Fisherman’s Net
All art installations in Klaipėda will be up until the middle of October.
The Environmental Protection Agency is a state institution that carries out environmental research and monitoring, and provides reliable, timely and scientifically based information on the state of the environment in Lithuania.
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#Artistic #installations #Klaipėda #invite #remember #environmental #problems
### Interview: Promoting Environmental Awareness Through Art Installations in Klaipėda
**Interviewer:** Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Jūratė Norkienė, an environmental artist and activist who played a pivotal role in the recent art installations unveiled across Klaipėda. Thank you for joining us, Jūratė.
**Jūratė Norkienė:** Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here and discuss our efforts to raise awareness about environmental issues through art.
**Interviewer:** Your installations have caught the attention of many locals. Can you tell us about the themes these pieces explore?
**Jūratė Norkienė:** Absolutely! Each installation addresses critical environmental concerns in our community. For instance, the “Clean Seashore” installation at the pier cafe “Ateik ateik” draws attention to the pollution affecting our beautiful Baltic coast, urging visitors not to leave garbage behind. Unfortunately, plastic waste continues to endanger marine life.
**Interviewer:** That’s a powerful message! What other installations are creating a stir among the public?
**Jūratė Norkienė:** Another significant piece is the “Ateik” mirror installation. It’s not just a reflective surface; it challenges onlookers to consider how their beauty routines contribute to water pollution. Many products we use contain harmful substances that end up contaminating our groundwater.
**Interviewer:** It’s fascinating how you’re connecting daily habits to larger environmental issues. Tell us more about “Earth Therapy.”
**Jūratė Norkienė:** ”Earth Therapy,” installed in Atgimimo Square, confronts the paradox of health and environmental harm. While medications are meant to help us, their residues in water bodies can be detrimental. We hope to provoke thought regarding the disposal of expired medications and their wider impact.
**Interviewer:** That is eye-opening. And I believe “Message in a Bottle” shares a similarly stark message?
**Jūratė Norkienė:** Exactly! This installation illustrates how agricultural runoff and industrial pollution are affecting the Dane River. The combination of waste, including fertilizers and household chemicals, results in algal blooms that deplete oxygen in the water. It’s a visual representation of our ongoing neglect towards waterways.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, can you tell us about the “Fisherman’s Net”?
**Jūratė Norkienė:** ”Fisherman’s Net” highlights the debris entering the river due to stormwater runoff. This is a literal and figurative net capturing the trash that harms aquatic life. It’s crucial for us to recognize our responsibility in keeping our local environment clean.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Jūratė. Your work is not only artistically engaging but also serves as a critical reminder of the environmental challenges we face. What do you hope to see moving forward?
**Jūratė Norkienė:** I hope these installations will inspire greater community action and personal responsibility. Together, we can make a lasting impact on our environment.
**Interviewer:** It’s been a pleasure learning about your impactful work. Let’s hope your message resonates deeply with the community and beyond. Thank you for your time!
**Jūratė Norkienė:** Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to share our mission.
