Rome trash statues a hit with public

ROME, March 28 (UPI) -- "The Trash People," 1,000 statues made from recycled garbage in Rome, have attracted more than 1 million onlookers since going on display last week.

The Trash People, created by German artist HA Schult, were created from tin cans, computers, crushed plastic and other recycled garbage, ANSA, the Italian news agency, reported Wednesday.

Schult said his intention with the project is to remind people of the waste produced by modern consumerism and the problems that waste creates for future generations.

"This installation invites people to reflect on the importance of our ecosystem for our quality of life," said Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni.

"But it also carries a message of hope because a lot can still be done to give future generations a balanced environment that is intact," he said.

"When art is the bearer of messages of civil and social responsibility, one can only be satisfied. Schult's initiative is an example of this."