Galleria百 Raises Awareness of Marine Pollution Severity with 'Light! Ocean Project'

Galleria Department Store will carry out the Light! Ocean Project for one month starting from the 17th to raise awareness about marine pollution. (Photo by Galleria Department Store)

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Galleria Department Store is conducting the 'Light! Ocean Project' until August 13 to raise awareness about marine pollution caused by plastic.

This project is part of Galleria's 'Light! Galleria' campaign, which began in 2019. 'Light! Galleria' is a social contribution campaign that promotes sustainable consumption culture and correct values through three main areas: ▲environmental protection ▲respect for life ▲safety culture. Last year, the campaign raised awareness about the dangers of fine dust through 'Light! Sign.'

This year, Galleria is running the 'Light! Ocean Project,' focusing on marine pollution and warning about the hidden dangers of plastic amid convenience. The project highlights the reality that the marine ecosystem is being destroyed due to accumulated pollution, including the surge in single-use products caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and conveys the message that the damage eventually returns to humans through the food chain. Additionally, it encourages customers to participate in environmental protection efforts and engage in various activities aimed at creating change for the future.

For this project, on June 19, Galleria’s employee volunteer group visited Hakampo Beach in Taean, Chungnam, and conducted a coastal cleanup by walking back and forth along a 2 km stretch of the nearby coast. They collected 120 bags of trash during the volunteer activity.

Galleria partnered with furniture designer Moon Seungji and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to propose artistic recycling methods using the plastics collected from the coast. Artist Moon Seungji, known for collaborating with prominent brands such as COS and Samsung Electronics while conveying environmental messages through her work, took charge of the design, and WWF managed the supply of plastics.

The concept of Moon Seungji’s work is 'Plastic Dinner,' reflecting the artist’s intention to make discussions about environmental pollution a part of everyday life. The work was created by reinterpreting the act of cooking to fit the 'dinner' concept and consists of lighting, a table, stools, and chairs. This collaborative work will be exhibited and sold at Galleria Gwanggyo from July 17 to August 13. The proceeds from sales will be donated to WWF to support environmental protection activities.

Online, Galleria is distributing videos that convey the purpose of this environmental protection project to raise awareness in the era of essential environmental consciousness. Additionally, the project, artist introduction, and detailed progress will be presented through a 'micro site.'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.