A Designer Cooperates With Aboriginal Craftspeople to Create Eco-Friendly Lamp Shades

In reaction to this plastic waste issue in the Colombian Amazon, Spanish designer Alvaro Catalán de Ocón began the PET Lamp Project in 2011–a layout venture with the intention to reuse PET plastic bottles. Over the previous five years, the eco-conscious designer has worked together with traditional craft communities from throughout the world–including Colombia, Chile, Japan, and Ethiopia–to turn plastic waste into a growing collection of beautiful, handmade PET Lamps.

As with his previous projects alongside traditional craftspeople, Catalán de Ocón came to Bula’Bula Arts Centre in Ramingining with no predetermined plan for the way the lamps would look. Rather, he gave liberty to the talented weavers who began to generate huge structures inspired by traditional Yolngu mats. Made from naturally colored pandanus fibers, the resulting suspension lamps with feature fringes include the PET plastic bottles since the center points of their circular woven designs.

The vivid, sunshine hues were created from boiling natural ingredients and pigments–such as ash and eucalyptus bark– then leaving the dyed leaves to dry from the sun. Every single mat was then woven together into two bigger lampshades, mirroring the bond between individuals of the same clan. Catalán de Ocón explains, “The two masterpieces turn into a complex, harmonious merge between Aboriginal kinships, weaving technique, topographic elements, and design.”

You can also find out more about the job via the PET Lamp Site.

In collaboration with traditional craftspeople from all over the planet, the PET Lamp Project was set by designer Alvaro Catalán de Ocón.

h/t Colossal

Various Character Illustrations Made From Iconic Figures of Their Popular Cities by Federico Babina

One of our favorite illustrators, Federico Babina, is back with a fresh collection of drawings that takes us on a world tour. Adhering to his clear, graphic sensibilities, Babina exemplifies some of the most well-loved cities across the globe for his brand new string INKONICITY. From Beijing to Berlin, Istanbul to Paris, the Italian artist draws from the culture and iconography of every city to visually illustrate their characteristics.

Swirling around them, geometric lines and shapes which indicate the principal landmarks, conventional foods, or famous artworks of these cities assist with the visual roadmap.

According to his illustrations of mental illness, Babina has an uncanny ability to synthesize complex themes into simple layouts, and INKONICITY is no different. Each drawing is a guidebook, taking the viewer on a whirlwind tour in 1 glance. And, as usual, Babina has also published a fun animated clip, in which every visual detail comes to life. The only city examples, in addition to a compilation of all 21 cities, are all available as art prints via Babina’s Society6 store.