Calendar

Exhibition

Presented by SVA Galleries

Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers

October 26 - December 7, 2024
Image showing a rectangular canvas made of rolled plastic materials and cut straws, together forming a tapestry of circles of varying sizes. Image showing a rectangular canvas made of rolled plastic materials and cut straws, together forming a tapestry of circles of varying sizes.

Bryan Northup, Red Tide, 2017, plastic and foam on canvas, 30 x 40 inches

Bryan Northup, Red Tide, 2017, plastic and foam on canvas, 30 x 40 inches

SVA Chelsea Gallery

601 West 26th Street, 15th floor, New York, NY 10001

Reception

Wed, Oct 30; 6:00 - 8:00pm

RSVP for the Reception
In gallery one at the SVA Chelsea Gallery, vinyl text on the wall reads “Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers.” Beyond the wall text, the gallery is filled with a large installation of CDs and DVDs and a few sculptures made of various items.

“Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” SVA Chelsea Gallery, October 26 - December 7, 2024

The wall of CDs and DVDs continues throughout gallery one. To the right of it, black plastic items are displayed on the wall in the shape of a large hand-held mirror.

“Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” SVA Chelsea Gallery, October 26 - December 7, 2024

In gallery one, the back side of the wall of CDs and DVDs reveals the wooden framework it is built around, as well as the other side of the CDs. A dark sculpture of a very skinny person walking is placed to the right.

“Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” SVA Chelsea Gallery, October 26 - December 7, 2024

Two monitors hang side by side on a wall. One shows a woman staring into the distance, and the other shows a blue and gray tunnel.

“Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” SVA Chelsea Gallery, October 26 - December 7, 2024

In gallery two, a large sculpture made up of green plastic items like bucket lids and motor oil containers hangs on the wall. A greenhouse with clear plastic containers as its roof and walls sits in the center of the room.

“Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” SVA Chelsea Gallery, October 26 - December 7, 2024

An installation of blue items is structured in a vanity-like shape against a wall, with more blue items spilling onto the floor. A greenhouse with clear plastic containers as its roof and walls sits in the center of the room, and a cloud-shaped sculpture is suspended in the air.

“Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” SVA Chelsea Gallery, October 26 - December 7, 2024

Another corner of gallery two shows two small models of larger sculptures. One is a whale and one is a cloud. They both have the image of the large sculpture displayed beside them.

“Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” SVA Chelsea Gallery, October 26 - December 7, 2024

In gallery two, the green sculpture, the greenhouse, the suspended cloud, the foam assemblage, and the framed plastic bags are all visible.

“Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” SVA Chelsea Gallery, October 26 - December 7, 2024

Nine framed plastic bags are arranged in a grid on one wall. The bags are embroidered with colored thread. To their left, a vertically oriented assemblage of foam and plastic is attached to the wall.

“Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” SVA Chelsea Gallery, October 26 - December 7, 2024

In gallery three, a trail of red items leads out of a large photograph. Closer to the camera, colorful balls of plastic are suspended in a cone-like formation.

“Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” SVA Chelsea Gallery, October 26 - December 7, 2024

The alcove area of gallery three is filled with blue plastic items which seem to spill out from a large photo displayed on the wall. A curving path of red items leads through the gallery towards another large photo.

“Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” SVA Chelsea Gallery, October 26 - December 7, 2024

In gallery three, the alcove area is filled with blue plastic items which seem to spill out from a large photo displayed on the wall. To the right of the alcove, a long sculpture of orange laundry detergent containers is suspended horizontally.

“Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” SVA Chelsea Gallery, October 26 - December 7, 2024

To the right of the gallery 3 alcove, a long sculpture of orange laundry detergent containers is suspended horizontally. Past it, a large assemblage of baby pink and white plastics stands in the corner.

“Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” SVA Chelsea Gallery, October 26 - December 7, 2024

The back of the pink sculpture shows pink lingerie and other clothing items spilling down the back of a mannequin like a dress’ train. On the wall to the left, many pieces of nylon fabric are patched together to form a large flag.

“Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” SVA Chelsea Gallery, October 26 - December 7, 2024

The gallery four alcove has two sculptures displayed on pedestals. On the left, there is a hat made of green plastic strands. In the center, ovals of plastic come together to make an evening gown. To the right, a rectangular assemblage of foam and plastic hangs on the wall.

“Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” SVA Chelsea Gallery, October 26 - December 7, 2024

In gallery four, many pink items and knick-knacks cover a pink chest with a pink mannequin body rising out of the top. The sculpture can be walked around and is covered with items from all angles.

“Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” SVA Chelsea Gallery, October 26 - December 7, 2024

In the hallway before gallery four, two medium sized canvases depicting flowers hang on either side of two long tapestries depicting tall buildings. In the back corner, white plastic octagons are placed around a chair on the floor.

“Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” SVA Chelsea Gallery, October 26 - December 7, 2024

Looking down the hall towards gallery one, the suspended cone shape and a canvas of embroidered plastic flowers are visible.

“Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” SVA Chelsea Gallery, October 26 - December 7, 2024

SVA presents “Plasticulture: The Rise of Sustainable Practices with Polymers,” an exhibition of works by 15 artists from Project Vortex, an artist collective innovating with plastic debris, and curated by founding artist Aurora Robson. By combining artistic expression with scientific exploration, "Plasticulture" aspires to encourage individuals and communities to embrace more sustainable practices and play a part in fostering a healthier planet. 


Operating at the intersection of art and science, the 45 works in “Plasticulture” inspire a rethinking and reinvention of plastic debris. Exhibiting artists include Leticia Bajuyo, Tom Deininger, Ellen Driscoll, Alejandro Durán, Natalya Khorover, Niki Lederer, Pam Longobardi, Kristyna and Marek Milde, Portia Munson, Bryan Northup, Studio KCA, Ian Trask, Tyrome Tripoli, and Benjamin Von Wong. As members of the Project Vortex Collective, their work supports and contributes to efforts to reduce the influx of plastic waste in the environment. Comprised of artists, designers and architects around the globe who are actively intercepting the plastic waste stream as part of our independent practices, the collective is a constantly expanding network.


The SVA Chelsea Gallery is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00am to 6:00pm, and closed on Sundays and Mondays. It is fully accessible by wheelchair.

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Free and open to the public