Tag: basking shark installation

Betty the e-waste shark washed astore at Stirling shopping centre

Thistles welcomes life-sized basking shark made from second hand electrical devices

Thistles shopping centre in Stirling has unveiled a new art installation, Betty the e-waste shark, which has been making a splash with shoppers.

Betty is a life-sized basking shark made entirely from second hand electrical devices including over 200 keyboards and water cooler panels that have been saved from landfill. Shoppers brave enough to stand at Betty’s mouth will see two projector lenses and TV screens showing a powerful film highlighting the enormous scale of e-waste that is shipped across seas every year.

The work of Edinburgh artist, Jonathan Elders, Betty was created to raise awareness of Scotland’s electronic waste problem. Designed to be engaging, it is also fully inclusive and accessible to people of any height or level of mobility. 

For a limited time only before Betty continues her journey across the country, visitors are invited to interact and snap a picture with the striking sculpture located outside Muffin Break to learn about the growing problem of e-waste facing our country.

Gary Turnbull, Centre Director at Thistles, said: “We’re excited to have welcomed Betty into the centre as not only is it a fantastic sculpture, but it is also a great way to educate our shoppers on the problem of electronic waste which faces us all.

“At Thistles we have been putting a great focus on sustainability, how to cut down on all waste and the steps we can take to protect our planet. Our Wolf Pack Kids’ Club is something that we’ve been able to introduce into the centre, with the help of the Sustainable Supers, to get the next generation clued up on all things sustainable and reducing our carbon footprint.”

The instalment furthers Thistles’ focus on raising awareness about sustainability and reducing waste as its monthly Wolf Pack Kids’ Club continues. Hosted on the last Sunday of the month from February to November, each month centres around a unique theme around planet saving, kindness and sharing.

Wolf pack members will be able to see Betty the shark up close after the next, free of charge event on September 25. Children can take part in an interactive workshop to design, create and take home their very own garden windchimes as we celebrate the seasons and head into Autumn.

Thistles encourages all shoppers to catch Betty the e-waste shark while you can as she will be at the shopping centre for a limited time only.

To find out more and sign up for The Wolf Pack, please visit:

www.thistlesstirling.com/the-wolf-pack/

Betty the basking shark takes up residence at Ocean Terminal

Edinburgh artist Johnathan Elders illustrates the scale of Scotland’s electronic waste
with powerful installation

Reindeer, penguins, and polar bears are the sort of animals you would usually expect to see taking pride of place in a retail display at this time of year. However, one Edinburgh shopping centre is adding a little more ‘bite’ to its seasonal offering with the installation of a powerful new sculpture – Betty the e-waste shark!

The work of Edinburgh artist Johnathan Elders, Betty is a life-sized basking shark which aims to illustrate the sheer scale of Scotland’s electronic waste problem.

The sculpture was created using a range of second-hand electrical devices including more than 200 keyboards and water cooler panels, all of which have been saved from landfill, plus two projector lenses and TV screens which display a hard-hitting film about the true impact of e-waste.

Previously displayed at the National Museum of Scotland, local sustainability campaigner Sara Thomson of The Leith Collective has successfully secured Betty a residency at Ocean Terminal, and the artwork is available to view now.

Created in response to a call-out from the Edinburgh Science Festival, Jonathan had a clear vision of what he hoped the artwork would achieve. Firstly, it needed to demand attention.

He was determined to craft something that was simply too big to be missed, and instantly recognisable in order to create a reaction. Secondly, it needed to be engaging – something that people would want to touch and interact with.

It was also important that the piece was inclusive and accessible in its entirety to people of any height or level of mobility. Finally, it needed to inform viewers of the immense problem of e-waste faced by Scotland. 

Commenting on the piece, Jonathan Elders explains: ‘I chose the basking shark, native to Scotland, as I encountered one as a child whilst on a boat trip to Bass Rock in North Berwick. This moment had a huge impact on me, and it has stayed with me ever since. 

‘I didn’t want to be subtle. As a nation, we have so much to be proud of – like these magnificent creatures – but we also have a massive problem that we’re just not doing enough to address. Like producing such vast quantities of e-waste. 

‘As the footage shows, much of this waste is shipped away to other parts of the world so that we can forget about it. But that needs to stop.’

When asked about the name, Jonathan said: “Betty is the name of a lovely local lady – a total character who knows everybody. She lives overlooking Newhaven Harbour but won’t go anywhere near it because she is scared of the sea. Hence the reason I called the shark Betty, because like the real-life Betty, this shark will never go to the sea!’

Betty the e-waste shark is available to view now at Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh. Guided tours and talks about the artwork are available upon request for schools, clubs, and organisations.

If you are interested in giving Betty the e-waste shark a home after her residency at Ocean Terminal ends, please email info@theleithcollective.com to discuss.