DESIGN /
PRODUCT
April 21, 2016
"Traces" Empty Containers Become One-of-a-Kind Products | MicroWorks
MicroWorks
Discarded Containers Become One-of-a-Kind Products
Focusing on the "micro" aspects of everyday life—fleeting discomforts, evocative scenes—and translating them into products. "MicroWorks," led by designer Shunsuke Umiyama, has turned its attention to reuse and reduce within consumer society. A project named "traces" has now begun.
Text by Natsuki Wakabayashi
Breathing New Life into Consumer Waste
"traces" focuses on containers consumed and discarded in daily life. Originally used for wine, jam, or condiments, these containers, after serving their purpose, are processed (sandblasted) with their original product labels still attached. This process etches the shape of the label onto the container. Each piece, upon closer inspection, clearly shows where the label once was, with past traces forming a new expression.
Traces of Consumption, Past Contours Form New Expressions
"traces" are unique, one-of-a-kind items, each with a distinct character. They can be used in a wide range of applications, from preserving food and spices to serving as vessels for potted plants, vases for cut flowers, or containers for desk and kitchen accessories. The matte glass surface, sandblasted to prevent fingerprints and smudges, is finished with a clear coating. The lids are treated with a beeswax coating to prevent rust and staining.
MicroWorks has launched an online store for "traces." A variety of containers, large and small, bearing the marks of diverse labels, are available for purchase. This is a commendable project that re-examines the general consumption cycle, applying a "subtractive design" approach to discarded materials. We look forward to its future developments.
Inquiries
trace store
http://traces.thebase.in
MicroWorks
http://www.microworks.jp/