Casual interview with Mariliis, an Estonian chick who gives plastic bags a second life: from waste to practical and durable artworks.
Every millennial citizen has already strolled around the streets thinking they've landed in the museum of human trash. It happened to you, me, everyone, yet we keep on glancing at the piles of rubbish, lines of burnt cigarettes, cans and plastic bottles with an alarming nonchalance, an inexcusable feeling of "it's too late now anyway". Annoyed by this revolting reaction towards waste, Mariliis decided to knit practical objects- from shoes to a transportable tipi- using 100% plastic bags.
Find out the hows and whys of this Plastic bag lady who transforms trash into creative treasures.
Bag, Bike seat and Panier all 100% Mariliis-made.
What do you do exactly?
I’m extending the life of plastic bags; taking something out of the rubbish – and quite a big part actually- to firstly, make useful things out of it, and secondly, pass on the addiction. The most common term for this is upcycling, a general word used for transforming waste materials or unwanted products into beautiful eco-friendly objects, also known as creative reuse. It started a long time ago in Africa, around the 70s, and now it's becoming more popular worldwide, mainly due to all the rubbish constantly surrounding us.
How did you get into upcycling?
Well, I've been crocheting for ages, but 2 years ago was the first time I started experimenting with plastic. I was working at a hostel reception when piles of plastic bags bursting out of the office drawers caught my attention. It got to the point where I couldn't shut the drawers properly, so I tried to think of a creative solution. After cutting out a few strips of plastic and realizing it could work as a material for knitting, I started making small things, like drink coasters, and gradually evolved from there. Now I'm in the process of making a transportable tipi for my travels, this should take me about half a year!
What motivates and inspires you to continue your artwork?
The inspiration mainly comes from the outrageous amount of plastic bags out there and the strong denial towards this issue. People don't want to be held responsible or have to deal with excessive piles of waste. It's become almost like a taboo, a negative topic, and that's exactly why I want to show the wider perspective of this material. There's an expression that says "we borrow the earth from our children", a hippie thought that reminds me how I'd like to leave more skillful people with the passion for plastic. Also, the more skills you have in life, the better. The more you can visualize the world without nothing, the more you can go anywhere without nothing, and you'll always have everything- like me, as long as I've got my crochet and a hook, I'll have everything since plastic bags are everywhere.
Explain how the whole 100% plastic bag process works
Firstly, I'd like to point out that I don't - and would never ever- buy any plastic bags to create my artworks -that would be absurd! The whole aim is to reduce plastic waste so I'm actually encouraging people to give me their old bags OR learn a new skill. If you make your own grocery shopping bag for example, it could last you for up to 20 years or more! Anyway, the point is I NEVER run out of plastic bags, people give me LOADS. It's nice because even if they don't crochet themselves, they feel included in the creations, either one way or the other. Most often though, people try it out and notice it's actually very easy to get a hold of! Once you get into it, you can also find it very therapeutic; I know I do!
How do you find new projects or places to host workshops?
It's often a matter of negotiations and asking the people you know. Once, I was volunteering in Hackney city farm when I decided to make seat covers for the farm cafe. I also made a colorful bird out of bike tiers and plastic bags for them which is still posing in the farm. Because this is my own initiative, something that I want to educate people about so they can see the positive in this polluting material, I do it completely willingly. I just think about an object either me or someone else will use, and then manage to blow my own mind plus everyone else's. Also, the more I communicate with people and work in different fields, the more I expand the varieties in which I can apply my work to. For example, I once took care of a paralyzed man who couldn't grab anything properly with his fingers, so I decided to make him his very own personalized water bottle holder.
Do you have any dreams for the future?
Yes! Now that I’ve tested and seen how strong plastic strings are, I'm actually thinking of making houses out of it! I like to dream big, I believe that if you dream big you get half way at least. And if you don’t even believe, the expansion of your dream is way smaller. I’m that new age kid that has the “anything is possible” mind-set. I’ve always wanted to live in a community, and creating a self-sustainable plastic-made village with minimal waste is definitely a dream. It could also attract lots of people, show them the wonderful potential of upcycling, encourage them to help in creating this community AND get rid of aaaall their plastic bags!
If you or whoever you know wants to find out more about Mariliis and her work, check out her Facebook or go to one of her workshops in Limehouse, London. She's also planning on making an art gallery exhibition with her work on plastic bag free day in July so keep tuned!
All images taken from Marilii's PractiKraft FB page (except 3rd image).
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