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All Portugal Funchal 'Plastic Mero'
AO Edited

'Plastic Mero'

Crafted from ocean litter, this sculpture highlights the ills of overconsumption.

Funchal, Portugal

Added By
Johan SWE
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‘Plastic Mero’   Johan SWE / Atlas Obscura User
‘Plastic Mero’   Johan SWE / Atlas Obscura User
How it looks on April 30, 2024   unimoggers / Atlas Obscura User
‘Plastic Mero’   Johan SWE / Atlas Obscura User
‘Plastic Mero’   Johan SWE / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In 2018, thousands of pounds of garbage were collected from the waters of Madeira Island by locals, particularly fishermen, during a clean-up campaign organized by the regional government.

A small portion of the plastic waste was recycled by Portuguese street artist Artur Bordalo a.k.a. Bordalo II to create the bright-colored "Plastic Mero" sculpture. 

The artwork was installed in 2019 and portrays the endangered mero fish or Atlantic goliath grouper. It was made with the same type of materials that are partly to blame for its annihilation. Through his work, the environmental artist wants to remind viewers of how overconsumption leads to littered oceans with debris harming marine life.

In the neighboring fishing village of Câmara De Lobos, Madeira Island's second piece of art by Bordallo II can be found: an eye-catching mural of a seal pup.

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Art Conservation Sculptures

Know Before You Go

Plastic Mero is located by the waterfront behind the CR7 Museum in the center of Funchal.

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Portugal: A Culinary Adventure from Porto to Lisbon

Explore Portugal through food, from the cities to the seaside.

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Added By

Johan SWE

Edited By

unimoggers

  • unimoggers

Published

July 5, 2022

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'Plastic Mero'
23 Av. Sá Carneiro
Funchal, 9000
Portugal
32.643695, -16.914076
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Nearby Places

CR7 Museum

Funchal, Portugal

miles away

Principality of Pontinha

Funchal, Portugal

miles away

Madeira Botanical Garden

Funchal, Portugal

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Funchal

Funchal

Portugal

Places 4

Nearby Places

CR7 Museum

Funchal, Portugal

miles away

Principality of Pontinha

Funchal, Portugal

miles away

Madeira Botanical Garden

Funchal, Portugal

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Funchal

Funchal

Portugal

Places 4

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