Styrofoam Cups: From Trash to Fashion

In celebration of Ocean Awareness Month, artist Marina DeBris’ “Beach Couture — A Trash ‘n’ Fashion Show” showcases the artwork she crafts from detritus she picks up as she walks the Westside. “In the beginning I would just pick up stacks of Styrofoam cups and bring them to the local 7-Eleven, but I soon realized that this wasn’t really attacking the root problem. I needed a creative way to draw attention to it. 

“The whole idea of making beach detritus into art started just three years ago from the realization that the waste we create always comes back to haunt us,” said DeBris, who regularly lends her talents to Heal the Bay and other environmental groups.

“With this work, I’m hoping to dramatize in a playful way some of the problems our waste creates,” DeBris noted. “I use humor to startle viewers into taking a closer look at things we usually ignore. The goal is to encourage people to rethink their use of disposables and ultimately reduce waste.”

Marina DeBris’ art will be on view in celebration of Ocean Awareness Month from Aug. 2 – Sept. 5 at ZeroMinusPlus/Fred Segal Santa Monica, 500 Broadway, Santa Monica.

Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. & Sun Noon-6 p.m.

 Find out more about Marina DeBris at http://www.washedup.us/