Plastic Bag Store opens in Rundle Mall as part of Adelaide Festival

A New York artist has opened a shop in Rundle Mall where everything is made from single-use plastics as part of the Festival.

New York artist Robin Frohardt in her Plastic Bag Store at Rundle Mall. Picture: Tony Lewis

Items resembling iconic Australian brands have been added to the shelves of New York artist Robin Frohardt’s grocery store installation for the Adelaide Festival – but all is not as it seems.

“I made Vegemite and Milo versions of products,” Frohardt said – although she gives a humorous twist to all her brand names.

Everything inside the Plastic Bag Store – including the fresh fruit and vegetables – has actually been made from single-use disposable plastics.

New York artist Robin Frohardt's tins of “Baglo” look suspiciously like another famous Australian brand at her Plastic Bag Store installation in Rundle Mall. Picture: Tony Lewis

The installation also features film and puppetry elements with performances designed to increase awareness about plastics pollution.

“It’s really quite cool that South Australia is ahead of the game with banning single-use plastic items,” Frohardt said.

“Obviously there’s still a lot of work to do for everyone, everywhere, but I’m really proud of what SA is doing – and hopefully the world follows suit.”

Frohardt arrived at the start of this month and spent two weeks in quarantine before she was able to start installing the work.

“It was definitely worth it … just to be able to be here in a place that has taken such COVID precautions that we can all live kind of a normal life is very special.”

Bagemite, anyone? Another of New York artist Robin Frohardt's Australian “products” on the shelves of her Plastic Bag Store installation at the Adelaide Festival. Picture: Tony Lewis

Plastic Bag Store has taken over the former Harris Scarfe department shop premises in Rundle Mall, where it will be open until March 14.

“I actually have more space than when we tried to do this in New York – it’s really nice that people will be able to experience it mixed in with other stores. It’s definitely how I envisioned it.”

The Festival unofficially began with Plastic Bag Store and theatre performances of A German Life on Tuesday, ahead of Friday’s formal opening.

Book at adelaidefestival.com.au