Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya's environment art

It would be a real treat for the eyes to see a 12-feet-tall art installation standing out in the lush green lawns of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly known as The Prince of Wales Museum of Western India), made of used PET plastic bottles, and sculpted into a traditional lantern. The museum wants to remind citizens of the indiscriminate use of plastic, the inappropriate methods of its disposal and the havoc that it has caused with our ecosystem.

According to information provided by Bilwa Kulkarni, education officer of the museum, around 2000 bottles have been used, provided to the museum by Bisleri.

These bottles are used PET bottles which go for recycling. After the installation is taken down, it will be dismantled and sent to a recycling plant.

Kulkarni said, "The project kicked off on October 15, 2011 and was completed on October 25  by the Museum team. The entire project was systematically planned, right from a plan drawing to the actual execution."

With the project, the museum pledged to emphasise the cause of protecting the environment and promoting the use of eco-friendly material while celebrating Diwali. Kulkarni said, "This art installation is not just a work of art but a pledge; a sincere attempt by the museum to make people think about the dangers we are imposing on our ecosystems by the indiscriminate use of plastic. This is an imploration to people to substitute materials that are hazardous to the environment with those that are eco-friendly so that our future may flourish in a safe and healthy environment."

The museum also attempted to make this a social exercise by involving groups of children. According to information provided by Kulkarni, a workshop was conducted for children associated with two NGOs — Vande Mataram Foundation and Mumbai Mobile Creches — where children were invited to the Museum for the entire day to work on the sculpture. "CSMVS is dedicated to organising programmes for underprivileged children. This workshop was an opportunity for them to get introduced to modern concepts of art as well as have a fun day at the Museum," told Kulkarni.

Sabyasachi Mukherjee, director of the museum, said, "The lantern was made with the idea to encourage art that gives out a social message of protecting theenvironment. Though it is an old pattern lantern, it is presented in a contemporary manner, that gives it an interesting look. With the lights on in the evening, it is a treat for the eyes."

The museum plans to keep the lantern for public viewing for thenext couple of weeks at least.