The EUNIC cluster members in Algeria implemented A Journey From Waste To Art, a project aiming to develop the local capacity of individuals to create recycled art while instilling the importance of recycling in new generations and encouraging them to draw inspiration from recycled waste.
Several workshops were held in May and June 2024, including a theoretical component, helping the participants gain a deeper understanding of artistic materials and their creative potential. All workshops culminated in the creation of pieces of artwork which were then exhibited for the public and media to see, showcasing learning outcomes. A total of 88 participants benefited from the trainings, balanced in age, gender and backgrounds.
The five workshops that took place as part of the project were the following:
Introduction to pinhole photography: How to take a photo with a metal box?
A creative recycling workshop designed and led by artists Lola Barcia Albacar and Marinela Forcadell Breva during which the participants explored pinhole photography, where the picture is “cooked” inside a metal box without a lens, viewfinder or trigger. Light enters through a small hole, forming the image on photosensitive paper. Participants experimented with the different camera models and lenses that each type of can allows for, and wrapped up by producing, developing and printing their own sets of photos. The workshop also covered several fascinating theoretical notions linked to photography, the phenomenon of image formation, its use from prehistory to the birth of photography, and much more.
Sustainable Creativity
A recycling workshop designed by Farm Cultural Park and facilitated by curator Florinda Saieva which tackled the concept of recycling and reuse and how certain materials can be transformed into works of art.
Through different examples of contemporary artists integrating recycled and reused materials into their practices, the second part of the workshop illustrated the possible uses of these materials in order to stimulate the creativity of the participants. The practical part was divided into three stages: brainstorming, design and finally the creation of an artwork using recycled materials.
From Waste to Living Art
A creative workshop conceived and designed by artists Mehdi Hachid & Reslane Lounici, From Waste to Living Art aimed to develop local capacity in recycled art and instill the importance of recycling, as well as green and activist expression through art. Throughout the workshop, participants were introduced to avant-garde bio-inspired artistic movements such as land art. They also learned to create from natural bio-sourced materials and carefully collected waste. The aim was to facilitate the creation of breathtaking photographs, organic sculptures and immersive installations. Their eco-responsible creations reflected their sensitive view of the environment.
Creative Cardboard
Creative Cardboard, a workshop by artist Brahim Belkorichi, aimed to raise awareness among young people and adults about the preservation and protection of our environment, as well as about the use of the riches that our waste can contain after being utilised. This reliance on ideas from the world of artistic recycling is also referred to as RECYCL'ART.
During this workshop, participants learned to draw, cut out and assemble by gluing pieces of cardboard to create beautiful art objects, thus discovering their hidden abilities and learning how to use them with enthusiasm for new creative projects.
Petals and Plastic: Shaping ecosculptures
The final two-day workshop, conceived and designed by the artists Simone Mørch and Saida B, provided a theoretical background for participants to familiarise themselves with floral decoration based exclusively on Algerian flowers, as well as to question the reuse of plastic waste by transforming it into artistic objects. Petals and Plastic also addressed the notions of sustainability, recycling and respect for nature. The two artists Simone Mørch & Saida B encouraged participants to reflect on our impact on our direct environment and the beauty of nature which surrounds us. Under the guidance of Danish artist Simone Mørch, participants were coached to sculpt exceptional artistic objects that are useful in our daily lives, all made of plastic waste.
The Algerian artist Saida B. completed this creative work by introducing young people to floral art, leveraging local plants.
Training workshops were designed to develop awareness of climate change and enhance participants’ ability to create artwork using recyclable and ecofriendly materials. The artwork presented for the public and media was a great opportunity to expand impact to external audiences.
To ensure the project's sustainability, participating youth and educators helped increase its impact through either social media posts or by applying learning acquisitions in their communities and classrooms.
We at the British Council are so pleased to have taken part in this project that allowed EUNIC members to combine efforts towards common goals, empowering international collaborations while tackling a universally relevant issue like climate change. The exchange between artists and youth and the positive community engagement around the works of art remind us of the importance of cultural exchange work.
Hamza Koudri, Country Director, British Council Algeria
Finally, the project culminated in an exhibition for the public and media to showcase artworks created during the workshops. This occasion also represented an opportunity to raise awareness around climate change as well as to boost the presence of the Algerian Cluster.