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The Plastic Bag Store — Part Film, Part Installation, All Bags

more information  Know Before You Go

The Plastic Bag Store is an art installation and immersive film by Brooklyn-based artist Robin Frohardt that brings humor, craft, and a critical lens to our culture of consumption and convenience—specifically, the enduring effects of our single-use plastics.

One-hour performances will run multiple times per day Wednesdays through Sundays at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar.

Inside The Plastic Bag Store, deli meats, fresh produce, multi-layered cakes, sushi rolls, frozen foods, boxed cereal, and more have all been meticulously sculpted by hand, made from discarded single-use plastics. During each one-hour performance, the store comes to life as a micro-cinema where the hidden worlds of Frohardt's ingenious puppetry unfold in a 45-minute, three-act film. The story explores the notion of artifact, misplaced nostalgia and how what we value least may become our most lasting cultural legacy.

Co-produced by Frohardt and Pomegranate Arts, The Plastic Bag Store was created over several years by Frohardt in collaboration with her puppetry ensemble and features original music by long-time creative collaborator, the award-winning composer Freddi Price.

PROGRAM NOTES

The Plastic Bag Store - Q&A
Join us on Tuesday, April 12th at 6 p.m. for a Facebook Live Q&A with Robin Frohardt, the Brooklyn-based artist responsible for The Plastic Bag Store, the immersive experience happening at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar from April 2-17.

Have a question? You can either ask live in the comments during the event, or submit your question in advance here: bit.ly/TPAQA

We will go live via the main Texas Performing Arts Facebook page, and you can RSVP there to make sure you don't miss it!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is anything in the Store for sale?
Nothing in the Store is currently for sale. Each object is handcrafted and is incorporated as an essential piece to the larger story of the installation. The Store is “post-consumer”, both in material, construction, and concept!

Will kids enjoy the Plastic Bag Store?
Yes! The Plastic Bag Store is recommended for audiences between the ages of 8-108!

If I visit the Store, may I touch the objects?
You may! Gently please— and put things back where you found them!
Please do NOT handle the seafood! You probably wouldn’t do that in a normal grocery store either!
Many of the objects in the Store feature detailed packaging which pokes fun at the text you might find on the products at your local supermarket. You are encouraged to have a read!

Where are the puppets?
There is a 1-hour puppet-film which Robin created related to the installation, and which is screened in the Store for timed, ticketed entries several times per day when the Store is installed in a city.

Where can I get more information about advocacy around reducing usage of Single Use Plastics?
There are many organizations working all over the country to combat the effects of plastic pollution on our environment. The Plastic Pollution Coalition is a network of over 1,200 of them if you would like.

More FAQ’s

FULL PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Thu, Apr 7 — 6 p.m., 8 p.m.
Fri, Apr 8 — 6 p.m., 8 p.m.
Sat, Apr 9 — 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m.
Sun, Apr 10 — 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m.
Wed, Apr 13 — 4 p.m.*, 6 p.m.*, 8 p.m.
Thu, Apr 14 — 4 p.m.*, 6 p.m.*, 8 p.m.
Fri, Apr 15 — 1 p.m., 4 p.m.*, 6 p.m.*, 8 p.m.
Sat, Apr 16 — 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 6 p.m.*, 8 p.m.*
Sun, Apr 17 — 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m.*, 6 p.m.
*These performances are free as part of the Fusebox Festival


 

An emphatic work of activism that is also a wistful work of art.

The New York Times, Best Theater of 2020

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The Plastic Bag Store residency at UT Austin is supported by funds from the O’Donnell Visiting Artist Endowment, generously provided by the College of Fine Arts.

Media Sponsor: KUT-FM