with Javier Viana
The work brings urgent attention to the reckless exploitation of water resourcesby the fast fashion industry. Every year, more than 39,000 tonnesof discarded clothing are dumped in Chile’s Atacama Desert, turning theworld’s driest landscape into a sprawling waste site. These mountains ofunsold garments, created through water-intensive processes, underscorethe severe environmental consequences of fast fashion.A UN report highlights that textile production accounts for 20% of globalwater waste and 10% of yearly carbon emissions—more than all internationalflights and shipping combined. Producing a single cotton T-shirtrequires 2,700 litres of water, enough to meet a person’s drinking needsfor two and a half years. With 2 billion T-shirts produced annually, theindustry’s strain on water resources is unsustainable.
The installation in public space features water containers, styled to mimic a Rubik’sCube. This colourful design serves as a powerful metaphor for the enormouswater consumption and pollution tied to garment dyeing, challengingviewers to reconsider the environmental toll of their fashion choices.
What colour will you choose to pollute yourself with this season?
2024, mix media installation, Algeciras, Spain | Photos © javier viana / k.ada / maria moncada
