Alejandro Durán began the Washed Up project in 2010 after witnessing the plastic pollution crisis firsthand in Sian Ka’an, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Mexico. In response, he started collecting debris—colorful plastics, light bulbs, and other objects—that had washed ashore from across the globe.

Importantly, none of the materials are painted; instead, they are carefully gathered and meticulously organized by color. Once photographed as site-specific installations, the trash becomes part of an evolving collection that continues to grow. These materials are then reused in new artworks and environmental art workshops, deepening public awareness around plastic pollution and its global impact.