With stunning visual impact and an astonishing array of ocean trash, internationally recognized artists create works of art for this exhibition from debris collected from beaches around the world. Plastic packaging in a throwaway culture finds its way into our ocean biosphere and then into the hands of artists. Our oceans and beaches are awash in plastic pollution propelled by gyre (rotating ocean currents).

The exhibition explores the relationship between humans and the ocean in a contemporary culture of consumption.A flip-flop discarded in Thailand finds its way to Hawaii, and a bottle cast off from a tsunami in Japan becomes Alaska's beach litter. In a culture dependent upon the modern convenience of plastic, throwaway products of consumption are affecting oceans and shrinking our world as we all become connected through our trash. A unique art and science exhibition, Gyre: The Plastic Ocean, brings the problem into perspective.

On view September 2-November 21, 2015, the exhibition explores the complex relationship between humans and the ocean in a contemporary culture of consumption. For decades artists have created works that address the relationship between community and environment. In the later part of the 20th century, artists gave a voice to the environment. Artists such as Robert Smithson, Michael Heizer, Christo and Jeanne-Claude and others became interested in the social value of art.

The result is a remarkable visual narrative and a provocative look at the impact we each have on our world.

EXHIBITION ARTISTS: Mandy Barker, England Edward Burtynsky, Canada Dianna Cohen, Los Angeles Fran Crowe, England Joan Wadleigh Curran, Philadelphia John Dahlsen, Australia Mark Dion, New York Andrew Hughes, England Chris Jordan, Seattle Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Anchorage Karen Larsen, Anchorage Elizabeth Leader, Buffalo, N.Y. Max Liboiron, Brooklyn, N.Y. Pam Longobardi, Atlanta Rebecca Lyon, Alaska Steve McPherson, United Kingdom Susan Middleton, San Francisco Cynthia Minet, Los Angeles Tuula Narhinen, Finland Anne Percoco, Jersey City, N.J. Tim Remick, Anchorage Alexis Rockman, New York Sue Ryan, Australia Evelyn Rydz, Boston Judith Selby/Richard Lang, California This exhibitions is organized by the Anchorage Museum