Sian Ka’an in Mexico, is the largest protected biosphere in the world, stretching close to 1.3 million acres in the Caribbean part of the country. One would assume, given the area’s conservation of flora and fauna, it would be exempt from trash and pollutants. However, this is not the case. The grim reality is that an excessive amount of trash and debris, from all over the world, is washing up on the shores of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Artist Alejandro Duran has collected the garbage from the shoreline and has created sculptures that aside from being visually stunning, send an important message. His project, [Washed Up][1], is a social commentary showing nature being consumed by trash. What adds to the irony is the name Sian Ka’an in and of itself. The word is Mayan meaning, “where the sky is born,’ or “gift from the sky.” The area is also home to the world’s second largest barrier reef. [1]: http://www.alejandroduran.com/
