METIS Initiative-2021 In Bhubaneswar: ‘Plastic Wallah’ Manveer’s Art Work Highlights Threat To Olive Ridleys On Concluding Day

Bhubaneswar: Delhi-based artist Manveer Singh created a wall of Olive Ridleys, made from plastic, hanged from net to express how human activities like fishing are killing the turtles on the closing ceremony of the METIS Initiative on Plastics and Indo-Pacific Ocean 2021 at Utsha Foundation, here on Sunday.

Manveer, the winner of METIS Initiative on Plastics and Indo-Pacific Ocean 2021, shared his experience at the month-long residency and also displayed a short film on his journey in Odisha in transforming his ideas to create beautiful art from plastics and also generating awareness among people.

Congratulating Manveer, consulate general of France Talpain said, “This artistic food for thought is the reminder that art and artists have the power to influence the way we think about the environment. I strongly believe that artists have the power not just to raise awareness about critical issues, but their work is also the key to creating real world impact.”

Manveer’s concept “From Plastic to Art” was selected from 26 applicants. During his stay for the Utsha Residency in association with French Development Agency (AFD), he visited various institutions and offices and distributed 40 habit changer boxes to collect the layered plastics to make the tiny turtles for his art work.

He also organised a workshop with 28 peer leaders (Pragati Sathis) of the Bhubaneswar Smart City so that the concept of “From Plastic to Art” is translated to action by others in the society.

Regional Director South Asia (AFD) Jacky Amprou, Director AFD India Bruno Bosle and Sector Portfolio Manager AFD Fanny Ragot and Founder of Utsha Foundation and eminent artist Jagannath Panda were present.

Manveer, popularly known as ‘Plastic Wallah’ in Delhi, has dedicated his works in creating awareness on the menace of plastics in and around the human habitations. As the marine ecology is going to be severely affected by plastics by 2050, the artist feels the awareness level should also get more attention so that the oceans and their ecosystems would be less affected by the plastics and their derivatives.

The METIS initiative is part of AFD celebrating its 80th Anniversary on December 2, this year and for this the agency has planned events across the Indo-Pacific Region including India, Mauritius and Indonesia. AFD has decided to launch a global initiative METIS, to create a global public opinion on marine debris and pollution.

Currently, AFD is also funding the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) programme in Bhubaneswar and 11 other cities of India through the Smart City Mission.