Plastic Dragonfly

In June 2024, Martinhal Lisbon Oriente received Plastic Dragonfly, a giant dragonfly by Portuguese artist Bordalo II.

Plastic Dragonfly stands in the hotel's entrance garden in Parque das Nações and is part of the Big Trash Animals series. This is probably the most recognisable work by the artist Bordalo II. It is also the first sculpture to depict an insect.

Big Trash Animals are made of plastic and other discarded material. They are huge animals and they populate facades all over the world. There are many different animals, but the message is only one: ‘We must change our consumption behaviour and selfishness to protect the natural habitats of all the other species we share the planet with,’ Bordalo II says. Ironically, in all his work, Bordalo II uses the very same materials that are often the cause of ecosystem destruction and animal death.

Plastic Dragonfly is part of the Plastic subseries (Neutral and Half Half are the other two) and is unpainted; The elements are exposed, making it easier for us to identify the components of the whole. Although plastics play an important role, the artist uses a variety of materials from different sources, including wasteland and abandoned factories. From bumpers, ropes and fishing nets, hoses, dustbins, construction helmets to traffic cones, they all have in common that they are discarded at the end of their useful life.