PLASTIC PERSPECTIVES
Plastic is a light, cheap and accessible material. But its presence all around us raises uncomfortable questions: about overconsumption, littering and the use of fossil fuels. About our desire to shape, bend and color products in endless variety. Plastic Perspectives explores the human relationship with this material that, despite its short history, has come to play a central role in our modern society.
Through design, art and architecture, Plastic Perspectives explores how, when and why to use the material. Because today, plastic is everywhere on the planet, visible even from space, and impossible to remove completely.
The exhibition draws on years of research to examine our often uncritical relationship with plastic. It points out that everything that is produced must be taken care of. It challenges us to change our view of plastic from something ugly and often thrown away, to a material that can be refined by artisanal methods and turned into objects worth preserving. It reflects on the human need to dye plastics in thousands of colors – despite the knowledge that dyes and additives make them harder to recycle. Plastic Perspectives also explores reuse and recycling and takes a critical look at contemporary systems of agriculture and food production. Ten designers approach current research through different methods and expressions.
The themes of the exhibition are also visible in its design, which expresses the fact that plastics can have different textures, colors and gloss. The textile elements consist of processed industrial plastic waste and borrowed textiles made from recycled polyester. The podiums are painted in plastic-free paint and the floor, which is removable, includes bio-based plastic.
Plastic Perspectives conveys that the shift towards more sustainable ways of using plastics needs to happen across all sectors, in individuals and in societal systems. The solutions are not simple, but many, and range from changing and reducing production and consumption, more reuse, and better recycling, to a radically changed view of what a modern society can and should be. It all starts with the conversation around the potential and problems of plastics.
The exhibition is located in stand C18:50.
The exhibition includes:
Andréason & Leibel, designers Kristin Leibel and Kristian Andréason
Sogol Baghban, architect and lecturer at KTH
Melissa Ciardullo, interdisciplinary designer
Ebba Lindgren, designer and artist
Johan Löfgren, artist
Pontus Johansson, children’s culture designer and lecturer at HDK-Valand
Gabriel Stuart, architect and designer
The Ninevites Design Studio, Nkuli Mlangeni-Berg, textile designer
Kajsa Willner, designer
The works are inspired by the research program STEPS (Sustainable Plastics and Transition Pathways), led by Lund University. The exhibition is funded by Formas and is carried out in collaboration with researchers, Form/Design Center, Konstfack and Formprocess.
Exhibition designer and curator: Julia Hertzman, Formprocess.
Exhibition production: Noomi Egan, Lund University, Julia Hertzman, Formprocess and Anna Gudmundsdottir, Form/Design Center.
In cooperation with Astrid, Bolon, Polykemi and Toniton.
IMAGE: REDUCE by Kajsa Willner. The work is part of the exhibition and was first shown in 2020. Photo: Kennet Ruona.
