What is littoral ?
littoral [relating to the zone of the seashore between high- and low-water marks ]
littoral is a new art cum science project in which I plan to examine the ever increasing volumes of litter we find on our beaches. I will be surveying and cataloguing the litter, analysing the materials, possible origins, longevity and implications for our environment. I intend making installations, interventions and possibly an interactive performance that engages people in the beach litter issue and encourages people to get involved in cleaning and caring for the marine environment.
This project is my response to my fear of drowning in litter, which I am increasingly experiencing when on beaches around our coast. So often now high-tide lines are marked not by seaweed but by a massive tangle of manmade materials dropped or washed up. Even on beaches which look clean, grains of sand are often laced with acrylic fibres, cigarette ends, plastic granules.......and more. Initial project images below
Crowd funding will help me begin the first stage of the project this autumn in Ullapool on the west coast of Scotland. The high school and arts centre community are keen to help shape the framework. I anticipate using a variety of observational methods, creating collections of materials found, alongside comments of visitors and possibly devising a scientific performance. Once the Ullapool research and development is completed my plan is to tour the project to different coastal locations in Scotland and the rest of the UK in 2014-15 to engage interest while raising awareness of the harm which beach litter presents.
I have lots of support (but no money) from University Marine Biological Station Millport; Marine Conservation Society Scotland and Keep Scotland Beautiful. I am applying to Creative Scotland and environmental trusts to help fund this initial stage of the project alongside this Crowd Funding, but to receive funding from them I have to raise at least £600 first!
Statements of support and professional endorsements from all the above organisations plus related articles are available as downloads below.
About Me
I am a visual artist and I make installations, sculptures and prints. My work often has a theatrical element while relating in some way to the natural environment. I hate waste and I am passionate about reusing and recycling materials. I enjoy exploring new methods and techniques of making work appropriate to my inspiration and the results can be at once both playful and serious. Last year I began performing with a mobile plant made exclusively from recycled junk. heavyplantcrossing2012.blogspot.co.uk vimeo.com/43166649
I have made works in the UK and internationally in galleries, on the streets, in gardens, on a bridge even in a decommissioned jail. My previous projects have received funding from the Arts Council England, local councils, colleges and private industry.
Please go to my website www.julia-barton.co.uk to see more.
What will you get ?
By supporting this project you will be a part of this exploration, and in return I will keep you updated on the progress of the project, ideas arising and work being made. You can pledge amounts from £5 - 500 and in return receive [littoral] artwork rewards; from a digital collaged image to a bespoke installation box inspired by the project. View the full range of [littoral] artworks I am offering on the right. I will also require a wide variety of equipment such as a microscope, petra dishes etc if you have any such equipment that you could donate please contact me at . All sponsors will receive a personal thank you with the digital project image.
All prints and structures will use recycled materials. Artworks will be posted out by the first week in December. If you have any questions or ideas, please do contact me at
Thanks very much for reading, any support will be hugely appreciated – tell your friends and wish me luck!
If for any reason the project fails to go ahead donations will be cancelled.
The owner of this project has not made any updates yet.
