Disruptive Matter Exhibit in China showcases sustainable design innovations
Dutch art curator Anouchka van Driel has invited over 60 innovative artists and designers from around the world to showcase sustainable design projects for the Disruptive Matter Exhibit. This unique show is aimed at delving into the changing world around us while showcasing new ideals and solutions that can help move society toward a more sustainable future.
The exhibition features boundary-pushing projects ranging from products, art, ideas, design, engineering and industrial, all presenting a visionary future that doesn’t just speculate but displays real and workable solutions. Most of all, the exhibition challenges the public to rethink the state of the world and gives contemporary artists and designers a platform to inspire and provide ways to embrace sustainable living.
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“What if we could build a world that uses things wisely, rather than that makes things obsolete?” said van Driel. “In nature there is no waste. Everything is a source for something else. Design sits prominently at the heart of a potential solution.”
One of the headlining projects is the “Wreck” experience, which proposes a change in the use of ceramic and porcelain waste by utilizing it for design pieces and modular furniture, therefore reshaping the ethics of the industry. Another project highlights innovating with ocean pollution by repurposing waste sourced from the Hong Kong Harbor into contemporary design objects. Other works on display include projects that make use of spent coffee grounds and focus on community recycling through organizing upcycling workshops and exploring the possibility of using coffee grounds for 3D-printing.
Divided into five chapters, Preface, Substance, Scale, Ubiquity and Next, the exhibition is designed to take visitors on a journey. The tour begins with a historical perspective on environmental concerns and examples of renewable materials in China before presenting solid visions for a sustainable future and a maintained relationship with the natural world. The exhibition is also accompanied by hands-on workshops to engage visitors in artistic creation as well as interactive online discussions to help the public rethink their roles in the circular economy.
Images via K11 Art Foundation
Written by Katherine Gallagher
