INSTALLATIONS
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.
Mar
Created in 2013, Mar(Sea) has been exhibited around the world—from [Insert Exhibitions Here]—and continues to resonate deeply with audiences. The installation has sparked dialogue about consumerism, environmental responsibility, and the global reach of plastic pollution, highlighting the power of art to confront ecological crises and inspire collective action.
Atardecer
Created in 2013, Atardecer (Sunset) has been featured in exhibitions, including [Insert Exhibitions Here], where it has captivated viewers with its haunting beauty and layered meaning. Composed entirely of found plastic waste, the piece evokes the quiet power of a fading sunset while confronting the environmental cost of our everyday habits. Atardecer invites reflection not just on what we see, but on what we leave behind.
Vena
Created in 2011, Vena has been exhibited in venues such as [Insert Exhibitions Here], drawing powerful connections between the natural world and human impact. Named after the Spanish word for “vein,” the piece weaves strands of discarded plastic into an organic, almost vascular form—suggesting the lifeblood of ecosystems under strain. Vena serves as both a warning and a meditation on the fragile interconnectedness of life and environment.
Vena at WTO
Exhibited at the World Trade Organization in 2024, Vena stood as a visceral reminder of the global interconnectedness between trade, consumption, and environmental degradation. Its vein-like form—constructed entirely from plastic debris—echoed the lifelines of our planet under pressure. In the context of international policy and dialogue, Vena challenged delegates and visitors alike to consider the hidden costs of commerce and the urgent need for collective environmental action.
Focus Art Fair
At the 2024 Focus Art Fair, Alejandro Durán presented a striking selection of works, including Vena and Mar, as part of a broader exploration of the environmental crisis through reclaimed materials. Set against the backdrop of an international contemporary art stage, the exhibition invited viewers into a vibrant yet unsettling world shaped by plastic waste. Mar, with its meticulous color compositions, and Vena, with its organic, vein-like form, offered two distinct but complementary visions of ecological disruption. Together with other pieces from the Washed Up series, the presentation underscored the power of art to transform discarded materials into urgent calls for awareness, accountability, and change.
Derrame
Created in 2010, Derrame(Spill), was one of the earliest works in the Washed Up series. Using black plastic waste to evoke the image of an oil spill, the piece offers a stark visual metaphor for the ongoing contamination of our oceans and the consequences of unchecked consumption.
