MFA Post Graduate Exhibition

absolute kippleization;
The Plastosystem

Combining scientific investigation, method and data, with visual analysis and interpretation, Rachel Honnery’s work reminds us of the vast and overwhelming challenges that we confront in the age of the Anthropocene. This research has culminated in two inter-connected projects: absolute kippleization, andThe Plastosystem.

Deriving its name from P.K. Dick’s post-apocalyptic novel ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?’, absolute kippleizationinvestigates the useless objects that to consume everyday life. For this project, Honnery collected, documented, cleaned and categorised hard plastic that had accumulated at Congwong Beach at La Perouse over a 12-month period. The result is a confronting testimony to the disposable attitude that characterises our consumer-driven modern society.

This project expanded into The Plastosystem, represented here as an underwater graveyard to the past and predictor of a future malignant environment. This installation visualises hybrid marine creatures that have been forced to evolve in order to survive in an environment polluted by plastic. Through the fusion of science and art, Honnery considers a future dystopian marine environment that may not be so far away.

Courtesy of UNSW Galleries

The Plastosystem
UNSW Galleries installation, re-purposed plastic bags, 2017.
Photo courtesy of Docqment Photography.

The Plastosystem – detail
UNSW Galleries installation, re-purposed plastic bags, 2017.
Photo courtesy of Docqment Photography.

The Plastosystem – Plastosissles
UNSW Galleries installation, re-purposed plastic bags, 2017.
Photo courtesy of Docqment Photography.

absolute kippleization (specimens)
UNSW Galleries installation, collected beach plastic, glass jars, size variable, 2017