ART IS WASTE IN TIME
Warin Lab Contemporary, a new art space in Bangkok, will open its doors with “Overflow — From Trash To Art”, a leading-edge curatorial project that focuses on environmental issues, from Jan 23 to March 21.
On display will be a site-specific art installation made primarily from consumer waste by Wishulada Panthanuvong who reflects on waste accumulation while introducing the idea of continual use of the same resources.
Based on the notion of a circular economy, the exhibition points out that the same product can be used longer through recycling, upcycling, repairing and refurbishment in order to create a closed-loop system by minimising the use of new resources.
Viewers will see the entire exhibition room from wall to floor covered with plastic caps from water bottles, aluminium drink cans, snack wrappers and household products, and various types of aluminium and plastic waste.
They will feel as if sitting in a living room furnished with grandiose articles such as a functional sofa, table, ceiling lamps and hanging sculptures, all of which are made of waste materials. The artist aims to create a paradoxical condition where people can have a pleasant time in a room filled with trash.
From the outset, the installation provokes the feeling of inundation from the mountains of waste we collectively create on a daily basis. On a more profound level, it instigates a regenerative approach to repurpose waste materials instead of abandoning them.
The local community around Charoen Krung 36 where the gallery is located and employees of many corporations also contribute to the art project by collecting, separating and donating their office and home garbage to be used as art materials.
The artist will conduct a workshop on how to create functional items from upcycling daily waste on Feb 6 from 1-3pm and give a talk on Feb 20 from 2-3pm.
Warin Lab Contemporary is located in the 100-year-old residence-turned-art-space OP Garden on Charoen Krung 36 and opens Tuesday to Saturday from 10.30am to 7.30pm.
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