A 1960 VW Westfalia camper with surfboards and wetsuits trailing out of the back will take its place among the exotic plants of Eden's Mediterranean Biome this summer.

The striking artwork is by acclaimed artist Ben Cook and underlines the fact that many surf-related objects are non bio-degradable and toxic to the marine environment.

The exhibit, launched on the eve of World Ocean Day, an event created in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to celebrate our world's oceans and personal connections to the sea, is on show from June 7 until September 4 highlighting and exploring the blurred lines of sustainability in surfing.

It was partly inspired by the Eco Surf Board project which was originally conceived at Eden in early 2006.

Gloucestershire-born Cook has exhibited his work all over the world as part of group projects and has had solo shows at some of the most popular galleries in Britain.

His installation at Eden, titled The Pack 2008, is a remake of artist Joseph Beuys' 1969 work of the same name.

Beuys' installation consisted of a VW camper with 24 sleds falling from the rear. Each had strapped to them a roll of felt for warmth, a lump of animal fat for energy and a torch for direction.

As well as the sleds and felt being swapped for surfboards and wetsuits, the Pack 2008 will see the animal fat replaced with tablets of surf wax and the flashlight with tide tables to represent survival and direction.

Viewers will also be pointed towards the Core where wall mounted abstract 'Landscape paintings', made of eco-friendly surf related materials will be on show, proving that the surf community is taking environmental issues more and more seriously in the 21st century.

Cook said: "My work examines how popular culture impacts on the environment in which it takes place."

The Pack 2008 will draw attention to the non-sustainable materials currently being used by surfers, and the landscape paintings will reveal the new eco-materials that could take their place.

Eden's creative director, Peter Hampel, said: " Ben's work exploring issues of sustainability in the surfing industry is a great example of how top artists can bring these stories to life in new and exciting ways that can shift perceptions and make people think about how their lifestyles impact upon the environment and community."

Local Cornish company 50-67, VW Camper specialists are kindly lending a 1960 Westfalia camper for the installation in the California section of the Mediterranean exhibit

50-67 managing director Shaun Richardson said: "We are delighted to support Eden and Ben Cook in what should prove to be a really exciting and engaging exhibit."

The Packs' original concept was to explore human survival in the face of technological failure, a concept that will blend well with both Eden and the sustainable surfboard projects.

Cook has teamed up with local Cornish companies Homeblown, Sustainable Composites Ltd and 50-67 in order to obtain the materials necessary to create these exhibits.

The landscape paintings will be on sale in Eden's education centre The Core, from Jo's café.

This project is supported by the Arts Council England South West.

Photo caption: From left to right: Shaun Richardson, 50-67, Chris Hines (seated), Environmental Campaigner, Ben Cook, Artist, Norman Frost, Sustainable Composites Ltd, Tris Cokes, Homeblown, Peter Hampel, Eden Project Art Director.