The Age of Plastic:
How SIBUR Tells the Story of the Material That Changed the World and Gives Plastic a Second Life Through Art and Design
The "The Age of Plastic" exhibition is a large-scale educational project by the Moscow Design Museum, created with the support of SIBUR's "Formula for Good Deeds" programme. It is the first exhibition in Russia that, through the lens of design and culture, shows the complete evolution of plastic: from a revolutionary 19th-century invention to a symbol of 20th-century progress and a key object of environmental responsibility in the 21st century.
Significant Statistics
The project is a continuation of the interactive research exhibition "Fantastic Plastic", implemented with the support of SIBUR's "Formula for Good Deeds" programme from 2019 to 2023. It revealed the creative and technological potential of recycling, transforming yesterday's plastic bottles, banners, and tarpaulins into objects of art, design, and fashion. The project included a travelling exposition of works and photographs of pieces made from recycled plastic by Russian and international designers, as well as lectures, thematic tours, master classes, and round tables.
The "Fantastic Plastic" project has got the Glamour Eco Awards (2021) and Moscow Urban Forum Community Awards (2021).
Our Mission
Our Mission is to change the perception of plastic, revealing its complex, multifaceted role in human history and its potential for the future, to replace simplistic judgments with deep understanding and personal responsibility.
Strategic Objectives:
To show how plastic changed everyday life, industry, and became an integral part of material culture.
To form a holistic understanding of plastic's role—from its undeniable advantages to modern environmental challenges.
To demonstrate innovative approaches to recycling and creating new sustainable materials.
Implementing an educational programme for museum professionals, including both a theoretical part—an overview of the history of designing a unified object-spatial environment, principles of selecting exhibits—and a practical part: developing concepts and texts, working with space, visual and graphic support, interacting with partners, and attracting volunteers.
The "The Age of Plastic" exhibition was structured as a fascinating journey through time, divided into three thematic blocks.
The story of the emergence of the first synthetic materials – Parkesine, celluloid, Bakelite, and Carbolite. Visitors saw how plastic became an answer to the scarcity of natural resources and how the industrial revolution contributed to its widespread adoption. Exhibits included accessories, furniture fittings, early electronics, and household items.
Presenting plastic as a symbol of a new lifestyle: bright colours, expressive forms, pop art, and futurism. Here, visitors encountered iconic furniture items (e.g., chairs by Finnish designer Eero Aarnio, a typewriter by Italian architect and designer Ettore Sottsass), tableware, lighting, clothing, and accessories that reflect the spirit of an era of bold experiments, space exploration, and mass culture.
Today's environmental challenges and the response from designers, architects, and manufacturers. The exposition reveals how plastic gains a second life. Exhibits include items from Russian brands such as Eburet, Recycle Object, Brevno, and others.
The exhibition also included an educational programme: lectures with designers, historians, and collectors, open tours were held in each city, and visitors could use the audio guide and exhibition catalogue.
SIBUR's Contribution:
Initiator of a Comprehensive Historical Dialogue
The company supported the creation of the country's first exhibition that impartially and scientifically examines the role of plastic in the development of civilization, moving away from simplified assessments.
Educational Mission
The project fulfills a crucial educational function, allowing thousands of people in the regions not only to see unique exhibits but also to understand the full life cycle of the material—from creation to proper disposal and redesign.
Integrator of Culture, Science, and Ecology
"The Age of Plastic" becomes a platform where design, history, technology, and ecology converge. This contributes to forming a more conscious and responsible attitude among the broad audience towards the materials that surround us.
The "The Age of Plastic" exhibition is shaping a new generation of thoughtful consumers capable of valuing past innovations and making informed decisions for a sustainable future.