Particulart by Diana Moore and Clare Bryden
Autumn /Winter 2014
Particulart is the brainchild of Diana Moore and Clare Bryden. Representation of emitted particles through the medium of knitting, is their way of telling others about the new Exeter Incinerator. At the same time it is gently encouraging Devon County Council to make sure the incinerator is operated properly and to think harder about their waste management strategy. Particulart also features the work of photographer Benjamin J Borley.
From carbon dioxide to 2, 3, 7, 8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, incinerators can emit a whole range of pollutants. These particles may look cuddly when they are knitted in brightly coloured wool and hung on the walls of the Real Food Café, but in reality they can have a negative effect on the environment and our health. Carbon dioxide emissions from human activity are responsible for climate change and dioxins are extremely toxic.
Devon County Council has contracted with Viridor to construct and operate, for 25 years, an 'Energy from Waste' plant. Whichever way you dress it up, that’s an incinerator. Of course, the plant will create energy, but the proposals for local business to use this energy are far from thought through. Less harmful alternatives to incineration as a means of dealing with Exeter’s waste were rejected by the County Council.
So we're having to learn to live with this new addition to our landscape and, as we do, we need to ensure that the incinerator and its operation:
• is safe for our health and the environment
• is transparent in its operation and performance
• does not mean less in the way of waste reduction and recycling
• is financially accountable
The plant started operating in April and will be inaugurated on 16th October. Particulart will run from Monday 13th October and you are invited to a launch party from 6.30pm til 7.30pm on Wednesday 15th October.
Diana Moore is a green and community activist, and a local representative on the Exeter Energy from Waste community liaison group.
Clare Bryden is a freelance writer, energy-environment consultant, website developer, and general dabbler in things that interest her.
Benjamin Borley photographs the street, landscapes, portraits, still life, dance, fashion, the nude and himself. He has recently exhibited at the BRIC House in New York and the Exeter Phoenix.
Check café opening times for exhibition hours.