More than 6,500 recycled flip-flops used to create wildlife art in Vancouver for Waste to Wonder show

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      More than two dozen artists will turn thousands of discarded flip-flops into wildlife sculptures for an exhibit at Metropolis at Metrotown from August 8 to September 8.

      The Waste to Wonder exhibit sounds the alarm over the way synthetic rubber sandals pollute water and shorelines. Often made from nonrecyclable materials, flip-flops can contain chemicals harmful to flora and fauna.

      For the show here, Ocean Sole Africa artists meticulously crafted sculptures in the shape of five, life-size creatures that are at risk in Canada: a narwhal, orca, grizzly, bison, and caribou. It took them more than 2,500 hours and more than 6,500 flip-flops to complete.

      Ocean Sole Africa is a Kenya-based social enterprise devoted to upcycling flip-flops into sculptures. 

      During the exhibit, each sculpture will be available for purchase through an online auction (with a minimum bid of $5,000). All proceeds will be donated to Variety – the Children’s Charity. Activities will accompany the exhibit throughout its run.

       

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