Dealing with plastic differently, we have to and it is possible
Plastic is considered a cheap material, which is why we easily throw it away. With all its consequences. High time to look at plastic differently and deal with it differently. Hence the title ‘Rethinking Plastic, Redesign the production cycle of the world’s most reviled material’, from the surprising and provocative exhibition on display at Yksi Expo. It is also the start of an extensive two-year program at Yksi Expo on the theme of plastic in all its aspects.
We now realize the urgency of plastic as an environmental problem, but at the same time it is a very useful material and a world without plastic is hard to imagine. Think of applications in the medical field, in the field of electricity, cars and planes and in household appliances. So we have to think differently about plastic as a material and deal with it differently. Designers play a crucial role in this necessary transition. When developing alternatives. When designing in such a way that plastic products last longer and can be separated better and therefore easier to recycle. In devising methods and systems to collect plastic in a meaningful way. When reusing and upcycling plastic in new products. And certainly when creating (emotional) value so that users experience plastic differently.
The exhibition Rethinking Plastic shows many surprising examples on the basis of six themes. From leek waste for packaging lamb’s lettuce to mealworms that eat polystyrene foam and convert it into protein. From a fully circular bicycle made of plastic to a plastic-like material made from discarded egg and nut shells. As well as beautiful vases made from cigarette filters or from handcrafted PVC waste.
See attachment for extensive info on participant. The exhibition is the start of an extensive two-year program at Yksi Expo with changing exhibitions, lectures, workshops and film evenings around the theme plastic. Students from various design courses will also work on this theme. The first in the series were students from the Koning Willem I College in Den Bosch, Media Art & Performance department. The surprising results of their projects can now also be seen at Yksi Expo.