Trash becomes art to inspire sustainability at Science North

Science North celebrates 42 years with the launch of 'Earth Works: Where Art Meets Action,' turning everyday plastic waste into powerful art.

The new Science North attraction called Earth Works: Where Art Meets Action is showing community members in Sudbury and beyond how one small action can make a big difference.

Artist sees opportunity

Benjamin Von Wong, the artist and activist behind the artwork, told CTV News he views the current environmental moment as both a challenge and a chance for the next generation to step up.

“Some might look at this as frustrating for the next generation, but it’s also a unique opportunity in time where almost anything that you do can make a positive impact on this world,” Von Wong said.

“Ever since I started doing these projects, I feel like the more you learn about the world, the more you learn about the magnitude and scope of the issues, the more you feel compelled to do some small changes.”

Scale of everyday items leaves lasting impression

The artwork has been repurposed from Von Wong’s past installations across the globe and has been paired with educational activities.

“One of the great things about this exhibit that I have here is the scale and the volume of plastics. I mean, these are all things that when you look closely, you see they’re just everyday items that you probably have used yourself. But when you see it in aggregate, when it’s not just disappearing conveniently in a bin somewhere, I think it hits you differently,” said Von Wong.

Despite the overwhelming scale of the environmental challenges presented in the exhibition, the artist is deliberate about avoiding a message of despair.

“I do hope that people don’t feel a sense of guilt, because ultimately, we live in a system that is designed for you to do the wrong thing. But I think that these small, different actions that we take to say no to the more convenient, harmful option actually gives us a sense of agency that yes, my actions do matter.”

Students embrace message

Ella Bouffard, a Grade 6 student from MacLeod Public School, told CTV News what message she took from the exhibit.

“You should always try to help your community and when we were in the IMAX, they talked a lot about hope and how there’s always hope,” Bouffard said.

“If we can try to get rid of all plastic and pollution, then we probably can.”

While her classmate Julia Albudane shared what efforts she is going to try to make.

“I’m definitely going to use less plastic bags and drink from a reusable water bottle,” she said.

Plastic pollution also hits close to home

Ashley Larose, the science centre’s CEO, emphasized that the issue of plastic waste is not just a global concern but one with local consequences for Sudbury and northern Ontario.

“Single-use plastics and the impact of plastics on our ecosystem is not isolated to any one part of the world. It’s an impact here in Sudbury as well and of course also through northern Ontario,” she said.

“Our visitors in this exhibit will learn not just about single-use plastics, but microplastics as well, which is also something that, as climate change continues and we’re starting to see changes in our watersheds, is going to make a bigger impact here in the north.”

The exhibition will be at Science North all summer, teaching community members about single-use plastic and where it might turn up unexpectedly, like in clothing.

Larose said she hopes the exhibit will create a domino effect.

“We need to be thinking of kids as scientists because that’s what they are. They are curious about the world around them, and it’s our job to continue to nurture that,” she said.

“Our hope is that the children and the kiddos that come and visit this experience will then be talking about this around the dinner table will be the ones inspiring their parents to make that change in the world.”

Von Wong said it is fitting the exhibition is in an environment that the future generation frequents, as many of his sculptures are done with assistance from community members and kids, like his straw sculpture that won a Guinness World Record in 2019.