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An ocean spirit, adorned in a gown made from ghost netting and beach plastics, appears from the deep blue to share an urgent message.

Dress made out of found beach plastics
Film & Handmade Gowns
by Audrey Billups
Maui-based filmmaker & dancer was inspired by the power and fragility of our Ocean.
Oceans Apart is her passion project that weaves together her art forms of dance, film, and design as a way to stand up for our abundant Blue Planet.
The film intends to bring people back into their own innate connection to the Ocean.
To our Earth.

Dress made out of found commercial fishing line
Photographs by David Teran

Underwater Photographs by Kelly Hsiao
We are in the midst of a Plastic Pandemic.
Every year, about 8 million tons of plastic waste find their ways into our oceans, killing the wildlife and spreading harmful toxins.
That is roughly one garbage truck dumped,
every second of every day.


tHE iNSPIRATION
MY WHY
Living on Maui, a volcanic island in the middle of the Pacific, has given me a deep love and respect for the Ocean.
One of my favorite ways to start the day, is by running down Baldwin Beach on the north shore of Maui. One morning, the usual pristine shoreline was covered in rainbow bits of plastic. As I started to pick up the plastic, the idea came to me.
​
From the initial spark of inspiration to hours picking up beach trash, logging & organizing my findings and crafting costumes out of them, this project has taken hold of my heart.
​
Creating beauty out of chaos.



Through the eyes of the artist...




tHE tRASH
The crew

Sasha Nitz
Director of Photography



Kelly Hsiao
Underwater Photographer
Jaclyn Joy
Production Assistant
Mia Rivera
Production Assistant


MeiLi Autumn
Makeup Artist
Amber Tang
Art Director Assistant


Martyne
Free Dive Instructor
Naomi Brown
Crochet Artist

Shelby Mossman
Diving Assistant

Ryan Hunter
Graphic Designer

tHE work
“The ocean touches you with every breath you take, every drop of water you drink, every bite you consume.
Everyone, everywhere is inextricably connected to and utterly dependent upon the existence of the sea.”
~
Sylvia Earle

SHOOT i
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