luzinterruptus highlights the threat of plastic waste with bordeaux façade installation

luzinterruptus, an anonymous artistic group focusing on urban interventions, has completed a public art installation titled ‘the plastic we live with’ during the FAB festival in bordeaux, france. the project visualizes the invisible: transforming the plastic excess that is around us into a striking art statement. the artists chose an old virgin megastore as the site of their intervention. after sourcing more than 6,000 bags from warehouses around the city, the team filled the gaps of the store’s façade so it looked as though the plastic was about to explode out of the building.  

the installation uses plastic as a subject matter to raise awareness against waste
all photos © lola martínez

‘plastic is a recurrent subject in our work and in life, since practically everything we consume is made with this material’, explains luzinterruptus. ‘recycling isn’t enough to tackle this problem. that’s why the french government, among others, has taken measures to reduce its consumption as much as possible by outlawing the usage of plastic bags at stores which are being replaced by paper bags or bags made of biodegradable material.‘

the installation gives the appearance of a building bulging with plastic

the installation inspired people to get close and try to recognize the bags from their favorite stores. when the interior was lit at night, the windows looked as though they were covered with stained glass — although a more plastic, toxic version. the piece remained lit for four days and, once dismantled, all of the plastic material was properly recycled and the building was left in its original condition.

over 6,000 bags were used to complete the project

luzinterruptus completed the project with the help of more than 30 volunteers from the asociacion bénévoles en action. the volunteers collected the necessary bags and recycled plastic for three months, and also helped luzinterruptus with the assembling and dismantling process. the artists also collaborated with la direction générale des affaires culturelles de mairie de mordeaux.

the artist collective was invited to complete the project by the city council during the festival of bordeaux 

an old virgin megastore was the chosen site for the project

the colorful installation includes bags from recognizable stores

at night, the illuminated plastic has the appearance of stained glass

the installation remained lit up for four days 

‘plastic is a recurrent subject in our work and life‘, explain the artists 

plastic bags have been outlawed in france, making it a perfect setting for the artist project

30 volunteers helped collect plastic bags over a period of several months 

volunteers helped in the long assembly process

the project was made possible by support from the city council and non-profit organizations 

a crane was used to assemble the upper levels of the façade