Caroline Heinecke | Conceptual Fine Art Photography

Plastiktüten / Plastic bags

Ihr Ruf ist desaströs und ihr ökologisches Erbe wird uns noch viele Generationen begleiten, sei es als raschelnder Wanderbusch auf unseren Straßen oder dahinsegelndes Werbeversprechen auf unseren Meeren — die Rede ist von Plastiktüten, ein Symbol unserer Wegwerfmentalität. Sind sie jedoch in ihrer Gestaltung einzigartig und ansprechend, dann bewahrt Kerstin sie vor einer ziellosen und gefährlichen Reise, auf der sie getreten, überfahren oder gefressen werden. Sie sammelt Plastiktüten und ist fasziniert vom Alltagsdesign, das nicht immer nur aus dem Beweggrund der Ästhetik entstanden ist. Ihr geht es vorrangig um unkonventionelle Motive, signifikante Schrift und ausgefallene Formen. Lieblose und unkreative Modelle kommen Kerstin nicht in die Tüte. Ihr privates Kulturdenkmal mit negativem Kontext umfasst mittlerweile um die 250 Exemplare, gesammelt auf Reisen quer über den Kontinent.

Nach über einem halben Jahrhundert exzessiven Ge- und Verbrauchs fungieren sie inzwischen auch als zeithistorisches Dokument. Denn vereinzelt überlebt von einem Geschäft nicht mehr als eine Plastiktüte.

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They have a disastrous reputation and their ecological legacy will remain with us for many generations to come, whether as rustling tumbleweeds on our streets or advertising promises sailing across the seas - we're talking about plastic bags, a symbol of our throwaway mentality. However, whenever they have any unique or appealing design features, Kerstin saves them from an aimless and dangerous journey along which they might be kicked, run over or even eaten. She collects plastic bags and is fascinated by the everyday design, which is not always created solely for aesthetic reasons. She is primarily interested in unconventional motifs, significant lettering and unusual shapes. Soulless and uncreative models Kerstin's fail to make it onto Kerstin’s shopping list. Despite the negative context, her private cultural monument now comprises around 250 examples, which have been collected on journeys across the continent.

After more than half a century of excessive use and consumption, but with no more than one plastic bag often surviving from a particular store, they now also function as a historical document.

A large, crumpled blue and white bag of "Terreau Potgrond Universel" (potting soil) sits on a green surface with a wooden cabinet in the background.
A row of six plastic bags with various patterns, including polka dots, checkers, zebra stripes, and houndstooth, hangs against a wooden background.
A crumpled paper bag with a pink and red lily pattern sits on a gray surface with pink and purple backdrops.
A creative pair of paper boxer shorts with a repeating "DO IT!" pattern and quirky graphics, hanging on a wooden wall.
A vibrant pink bag with a white handle featuring a zebra print and purple fabric at the bottom.
Two floral-patterned plastic shopping bags, one yellow and the other white, pink, and purple, sit against a blue and dark gray background.
A brown crumpled plastic bag stands against a bright pink crinkled paper and bright blue wall, casting a shadow on a light blue surface.
Close-up of a white plastic bag against a pink background.
A white plastic bag with the handles cut out, sitting on a dark green surface.
A large, crumpled blue and white bag of "Terreau Potgrond Universel" (potting soil) sits on a green surface with a wooden cabinet in the background.
A row of six plastic bags with various patterns, including polka dots, checkers, zebra stripes, and houndstooth, hangs against a wooden background.
A crumpled paper bag with a pink and red lily pattern sits on a gray surface with pink and purple backdrops.
A creative pair of paper boxer shorts with a repeating "DO IT!" pattern and quirky graphics, hanging on a wooden wall.
A vibrant pink bag with a white handle featuring a zebra print and purple fabric at the bottom.
Two floral-patterned plastic shopping bags, one yellow and the other white, pink, and purple, sit against a blue and dark gray background.
A brown crumpled plastic bag stands against a bright pink crinkled paper and bright blue wall, casting a shadow on a light blue surface.
Close-up of a white plastic bag against a pink background.
A white plastic bag with the handles cut out, sitting on a dark green surface.