The winners of the “Design for Clean Water: Stormwater Pollution Challenge” will be showcased from 9 a.m. to noon at I Love A Clean San Diego’s Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 21 at NTC Park in Liberty Station. This event coincides with San Diego Design Week, part of the World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024 experience.
The “Design for Clean Water Challenge,” a partnership between Design Forward Alliance, I Love A Clean San Diego, and Project Clean Water encouraged innovative and sustainable solutions to mitigate stormwater pollution and improve San Diego’s water quality. Microgrants of $2,000 each were provided to four winning projects by BluPeak Credit Union, which shares a mission of clean water for all.
Coastal Cleanup Day is the largest, international cleanup day with I Love A Clean San Diego leading the efforts in San Diego County for the 40th year in a row. This year, there will be over 100 locations for volunteers to choose from. Data collected from this event feeds into the world’s largest database on marine debris. To participate in Coastal Cleanup Day, visit cleansd.org/coastal-cleanup-day/.
As a featured program of San Diego Design Week, this event at NTC Park (Coastal Cleanup Day kick-off site), 2455 Cushing Road, aligns with the mission of World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024, providing a forum for connection and the generation of impactful ideas through human- and humanity-centered design.
The winning projects:
- ReFashion the Future: An Upcycled Fashion Show at 10:30 a.m. to Combat Stormwater Pollution by Chris Carson: “ReFashion the Future” is an upcycled fashion show demonstrating the creative potential of transforming discarded textiles into stunning, one-of-a-kind garments. By highlighting the connection between textile waste, microplastics, and stormwater pollution, this project aims to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices. With an interactive workshop and “before-and-after” gallery, attendees will experience the transformative power of upcycling, inspiring a movement towards a more sustainable future.
- La Eco-Resistencia/The Eco-Resistance: A Sound Art and Multimedia Exploration of Stormwater Pollution by Francisco Eme: “La Eco-Resistencia/The Eco-Resistance” explores the delicate balance of San Diego’s urban ecosystems, where stormwater runoff threatens the flora and fauna. Inspired by his eco-resistance efforts in a suburban canyon, Eme uses photography, video, audio, and collected artifacts to illustrate the impact of urbanization on natural spaces. The exhibition blends art with environmental science, raising awareness of the consequences of polluted stormwater on native species. It also incorporates Mexican crafts and local myths, connecting the scientific with the spiritual in an evolving multimedia project.
- Nature’s Design: Trees & Stormwater Mitigation by Elektra Fike-Data/Tree San Diego: Amidst San Diego’s urban landscape, a certified arborist will lead an educational tree planting and stormwater mitigation demonstration, revealing the harmonious relationship between nature and the built environment. “Nature’s Design” presents the advantages of integrating urban greening solutions, such as stormwater mitigation, runoff reduction, erosion control, and particulate matter capture. By empowering audiences with knowledge and best practices, this project fosters a deeper appreciation of trees’ role in maintaining a healthy environment.
- A Spoken Word Ode to Water by Gill Sotu: In the serene setting of Liberty Station, where the land meets the sea, the power of spoken word will merge with the essence of water in a poignant performance titled “Have you ever seen water cry.” This piece, crafted by the talented Gill Sotu, is set to echo through the hearts of those gathered for the Coastal Cleanup Day Event. Through his lyrical verses, Sotu personifies water, inviting listeners to reflect on its silent struggles and unspoken emotions. He challenges the audience to consider the unseen tears of water, a life force often taken for granted and exploited. With vivid imagery, this spoken word performance delves into the relationship between humanity and water, exploring themes of neglect, pollution, and the urgent need for stewardship.
