CEBU CITY –The SM J Mall in Mandaue City hosted “NAGARE”, a Japanese-inspired art installation at the Izakaya Terrace on June 8, featuring nine koi fish, crafted from 5,000 collected plastic bottles for the “Arts for All 2026” initiative of SM Supermalls in the Visayas.
NAGARE is a Japanese word meaning "flow" or "current, describing the art installation with the nine koi fish moving together as one current, they represent the power of unity and the shared journey toward growth and positive change.
The koi fish, in Japanese culture is a symbol of perseverance, resilience, and transformation. Crafted from over 5,000 plastic bottles and other discarded materials, the artwork transforms into a powerful expression of sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Eric Valenzuela, SM J Mall manager, in his opening message welcomed guests, partners, artists, media, colleagues, and the public to SMJ Mall, highlighting the significance of the event, presenting it as a region-wide initiative of SM Super Malls in the Visayas, focusing on transforming community action into meaningful works of art.
“The campaign aims to foster appreciation for creativity and sustainability through collective efforts from shoppers, partners, artists, and advocates. More than 40,000 plastic bottles were gathered and transformed into nine remarkable installations across various malls in the Visayas,” Valenzuela said.
He said that SMJ Mall believes its spaces can be platformed for inspiration, learning, and positive change, beyond just shopping and leisure. The installation was created through the collaboration of artist and designer D’oro Barandino, Project Tapuk, and JCI Cebu, demonstrating how art can inspire awareness and meaningful community action to inspire a more sustainable future.
Valenzuela mentioned that Arts from All campaign received international recognition for its innovative approach to sustainability and community engagement. In 2025, the campaign earned a silver award at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Maxi Awards, highlighting its ability to transform environmental responsibility into an immersive public art experience.
The campaign also garnered a bronze award at the Asia Pacific Stevie Awards, emphasizing the impact of turning plastic waste into art. These awards affirmed the potential of simple ideas to inspire communities and create meaningful environmental impact.
“We hope that NAGARE and the installations
across SM Supermalls in the Visayas will inspire everyone to see sustainability
as an opportunity for positive change,” Valenzuela added. (Photos: MBCNewman)
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