Art installation with used plastic bottles

Darul Hidaya Orphanage Higher Secondary School situated at Pookarathara, a remote village near Edappal in Malappuram district and the artistic installation by Arun Aravind once again gaining attention among other schools, artists and environmental activists. The 13 ft high installation constructed using 5000 plus used plastic bottles of water not only gives the message of importance of water but also highlights the reuse of plastic bottles and keeping the environment clean. 

The artistic work titled 'Trash Art Installation' mounted in front of the school building looks like water flowing from a huge plastic bottle on air, a creative thought from artist Arun Aravind, who is an alumni of the school. The 4ft high and about 30ft long  wall on the side of this installation is also adorned with a relief work by using plastic materials mainly used pens and pieces of bottles etc.  

According to the school management, the idea of creating a sculpture in front of the school was put forward by Dhalam (Darul Hidaya Alumni Amigos), the alumni association of the school. Arun suggested an installation using waste plastic so that the activity of collecting the materials itself becomes a good message to the students, the teachers, their families and the public. 

The volunteers and the cadets from the recognized students organizations NSS (National Service Scheme), JRC and Scout & Guide coordinated the responsibility of collecting the waste bottles and used pens. It took about four days to complete the installation and dedicated it to the school on 28 Jan 2018. Mrs. Bensha, the Principal of the school says “about 2500 students actively participated with the support of their teachers, parents and the public for about two months in the mission of collecting plastic bottles from the school, their household and from the public places. The whole process gave us the confidence to maintain the cleanliness of the environment in future”. 

It was on 26 Jan 2017, the Republic day anniversary of India, the school and the artist Arun caught the attention of media and the public by creating  a painting dedicated to the 'Jawans and Farmers' of India,  on cloth of about 1500 sq ft area by collecting the thumb impressions of more than 4500 citizens including the students. 

Location/access: The school is at Pookarathara, approx 6km from Edappal in Malappuram district and can be accessible via Naduvattom- Athani Road. 

For a visit/info: 

Bensha K M, Principal, 
Darul Hidaya OrphanageHigherSecondary School, 
Pookkarathara, Kololombu P O, Edappal- 679576, 
Malappuram Dt, Kerala.
Ph- 0494 2689730, 2680167.