ArtDECO

ArtDECO on words

Through this project, we wanted to promote among young people understanding of key concepts and principles related to sustainability materialized into “The art of upcycling / Upcycling into ART” approach.

Upcycling is the process of turning waste, often of the sort that is usually considered “unrecyclable”, into something that is useful or of value. A popular form of upcycling involves creating art with items of waste, and the results can be spectacular. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, fashions change with the wind and exceptional artists are few and far between. Many bits of junk simply get “upcycled” into a different form of junk that will find its way into landfills within a short space of time, so it’s worth asking the question, “What Makes For Good Upcycling?”

The specific objectives of our project were:

1. To develop young people’s knowledge of environmental and social issues at local and global level through Upcycling Art.

2. To encourage youth active participation for sustainability promotion, including art, upscaling and upcycling – on personal, local or global scale.

The activities we have implemented during the project can be split into 4 sections:

1. Workshops with art experts: Participants attended workshops with art experts where they learned to make sculptures out of ipsos and wood, and other materials found in nature. These workshops were designed to help participants understand the creative possibilities of upcycling and develop their skills in creating art.

2. Creative activities: Participants took part in a variety of creative activities, such as making art using materials found in nature, upcycling old items, and experimenting with different techniques for creating art from recycled materials. These activities were designed to help participants understand the importance of reducing waste, protecting the environment and finding creative ways to reuse materials.

3. Outdoor activities: Participants went on field trips, such as visiting the Golești Museum where they could learn about the local culture and traditional ways of life, and how they relate to sustainability and upcycling.

4. Group work: Participants worked in small groups to better understand the environmental issues, and how to reduce the impact of their actions. This was done using a variety of non-formal education methods, which were interactive and based on the learners’ experiences. This approach allowed the participants to learn in an informal and relaxed setting, and engage in activities that were tailored to their interests and needs.