This series upcycles, redefines, and gives new life into discarded objects, an extension of my project “Quisquiliae: 21st-century Dadaism, Art and Design for All Possible Worlds,” initially created in 2009.

Today, we confront a significant challenge as the UN has declared the era of “Global Boiling.” Capitalism and overconsumption lead to the production of wasteful disposable consumer goods, resulting in pollution, natural disasters, and the climate crisis. For this project, I worked with used plastic bags, food packaging, bottles, cardboard, and various other discarded materials to craft a range of functional, decorative, and emergency items. These include tote bags, handbags, purses, backpacks, a sculptural poster, a jacket, a t-shirt design, and a mobile workstation. I seamlessly integrated graphic design elements into these tangible objects, employing textures, patterns, and shapes reminiscent of abstract paintings or collages, offering both aesthetic appeal and functionality. (“Quisquiliae” means “waste matter” in Latin)

As a maximalist designer, my guiding artistic principle is “more is more,” leading me to create animations that further articulate my project. By seamlessly merging graphic design, textile design, and fashion design, my goal is to generate a “total work of art” similar to Wagner’s concept of “Gesamtkunstwerk,” which can be described as a “comprehensive artwork” or an “all-embracing art form.” In today’s context, this can be thought of as Environmental Graphic Design.

The aim of this project goes beyond designing an exhibition within confined spaces. It serves the higher purpose of inspiring individuals, through artwork, to be a part of the change by upcycling discarded or unwanted materials or reducing household waste, thereby contributing to making the world a better place.