ART inspired by nature and wildlife photography were used as tools to raise awareness about the importance of environmental preservation and waste management.
Photographers from Bahrain, Australia and India took part in the event, ‘Art of Earth’, with participants ranging in age from five to 69 exhibiting their artistic talents as part of the exhibition.
The exhibition – in which 34 artists took part – aimed to raise awareness about environmental preservation, said Dr Anamica Bhattacharya, a research consultant, educator and environmentalist who organised the event.
She said the photographers showcased their photographs on a screen and no labels were printed – to save paper and prevent waste.
“We held a two-day live event, a photography exhibition and art show, as well as art workshops and we had more than 50 participants of all age groups,” she told the GDN.
“It is critical to raise awareness regarding environmental preservation at a young age because children mirror our behaviour and they follow our lead.
“Today it is necessary to preserve the environment and save resources because humans have created these problems such as plastic pollution and climate change so we must take action together.”
Dr Bhattacharya added that incorporating a ‘love of nature’ in children will ensure that they grow up aware of environmental preservation.
She added that the event, which was held at Dana Mall on May 6 and 7, generated a positive response from the community.
Members of the Art Attack Crew spent the two days continuously live-painting natural scenery such as the seashore and mountains.
Also participating in the event, co-organised by Monika Verma, was famous wildlife photographer Dr Ajay Kumar Singh, artists Safa Abdullah and Mohammed Taha, among others.
Bahrain-based architect, material resource manager and environmentalist Kai Miethig, who gave a speech during the event stressed the importance of adopting a ‘minimalism’ lifestyle.
“Minimalism is a lifestyle through which we care about what we really need for living as we live in an overconsumption society with lots of waste produced such as food, fashion and e-waste,” he told the GDN.
“Lots of money and time can be saved as well as the environment preserved if we realise what we really need for living rather than what we want.
“Between 33 to 50 per cent of all goods produced globally is never eaten and the value of this wasted food is worth more than $1,000,000,000 with a global volume of estimated food wastage at 1.6 billion tonnes.”
According to Mr Miethig, fashion waste is costing the global economy more than $400 billion while also making up 10pc of carbon emissions, dries up water sources and pollutes rivers.
He also added that 85pc of all textiles end up in landfills.
Meanwhile, he stated that the total value of e-waste is believed to be $62.5bn with 53.6 million tonnes produced in 2019 growing annually by 2.5m tonnes.
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