Upcycling
StudentFiona Hobson
TutorGabriel Solomons
Self-Directed studyOct 2013
Subjects I could write about
Recycled craftsUp-cyclingDestructionUrban DecayDo-It-YourselfRenewable materialsSustainabilityLiving off grid
Limited to three subjects
Do-It-YourselfUp-CyclingUrban Decay
ProcessesScreen-printing
Photography
Lazercutting
Knitting
Linocut
Etching
MachineEmbroidery
Fabric Design
Illustrator
Typography
Topics
Recycled crafts
Up-cycling
Destruction
Urban Decay
Do-It-Yourself
Renewablematerials
Sustainability
Living off grid
ProcessesScreen-printing
Photography
Lazercutting
Knitting
Linocut
Etching
MachineEmbroidery
Fabric Design
Illustrator
Typography Topics
Recycled crafts
Up-cycling
Destruction
Urban Decay
Do-It-Yourself
Renewablematerials
Sustainability
Living off grid
Urban Decay
DisrepairDecrepitudeDe-industrialisationDepopulationEconomic restructuringAbandoned buildingsCrimeDesolateInhospitableSlumsMetropolisBlightCondemnedDangerousPovertySuburbanizationManufacturingEconomic changeVulnerableIndustrialDecayingBroken downHousing shortagesGhost TownsDeath of a cityRuinsRotMental HospitalsWorkhousesPhotographyCracksRiotsEarthquakesTornadoesTsunami
Up-cycling
Converting waste materialsUseless productsEnvironmentRecyclingDown-cyclingReclaimingScrapConsumptionRaw materialsEnergy usageAir PollutionGreenhouse gasesEmissionsHybridStructural weaknessPovertyReuseInhabitationEtsyFound objectsSalvageScrap metalEphemeraRobert RauschenbergRomuald HazouméJeff WassmannConsumer cycleCradle to CradleCommoditiesWaste hierarchyTrashionScrap-storesLooptworksTextile wasteNew lifeAn increase in worth
More Up-cycling
TerracycleUpcycle LivingEnviroglasEnvironmental responsibili-tiesGlobal warmingGreat depressionMake do and mendCarbon footprintUnwantedWornRevampingFreshRepairCraftRenewDecoupageVintageEco-livingRe-purposeRebagzResurfThriftyEnergy efficientRestorationInnovationRenovationDiscard
Do-It-Yourself
BuildingModifyingRepairingProduceTransformReconstructLandscapingEconomic benefitsLack of availabilityCustomizationCraftsmanshipEmpowermentUniquenessHome improvementCraftsZinesArts and CraftsConsumer cultureBitcoinsDistressing JeansCustomizing clothesJewelleryCarpentryMasonryKnittingInstructables
Questions for Urban Decay
What is the future for the planet?
Will humans be the death of the earth?
When will animals take over?
Would the earth be better off if they did?
What could other uses for ghost cities be?
Can you blame individuals or is it Governments?
Should buildings really be left to rot?
Should Urban Decay be left for historical reasons?
Do cities have more beauty when nature takes over?
Is your city killing you?
Is there a correlation between Urban Decay and crime?
Questions for Upcycling
What is upcycling?
Can upcycling improve your well-being?
Could the earth be saved through upcycling?
If something had been upcycled would you buy it?
Would companies make less money if everything was built to last like it used to be?
Is consumer culture what’s wrong with the world?
How does upcycling affect the world?
What is the difference between recycling and upcycling?
Is it better to recycle or upcycle?
Who started the upcycling revolution?
Questions for Do-It-Yourself
When did the craze for DIY start?
Should DIY be taught from an early age?
Should instructions to create things yourself be more available?
Would workshops in your area give a better sense of community?
Would areas be looked after better if the community created them themselves?
Should materials to create your own things be cheaper to encourage learning skills?
Should everyone be taught DIY or should it be left to the tradesmen?
Is consumer culture what’s wrong with the world?
Would companies make less money if everyone was taught DIY or could they incorporate that it into their business?
Could teaching DIY from a young age have an impact on crime?
Upcy
clin
gW
hat d
o yo
u th
ink
upcy
clin
g is
?
The
art o
f fi
ndin
g an
othe
r us
e fo
r so
met
hing
th
at y
ou h
ave
fini
shed
usi
ng
for
its
firs
t pu
rpos
e.
Wha
t fiv
e w
ords
com
e to
min
d w
hen
you
thin
k of
up
cycl
ing?
Chea
p, e
asy,
in
nova
tive
, pl
anet
, se
nsib
le.
Coul
d up
cycl
ing
impr
ove
your
w
ell-b
eing
?
I sup
pose
it
cou
ld b
y m
akin
g yo
u fe
el b
ette
r.
Coul
d th
e Ea
rth
be
save
d th
roug
h up
cycl
ing?
No!
But
eve
ry
littl
e he
lps.
Wou
ld
com
pani
es
mak
e le
ss
mon
ey if
ev
eryt
hing
w
as b
uilt
to
last
like
it
used
to b
e?
Thin
gs w
ere
not b
uilt
to
last
it’s
a m
yth.
Co
mpa
nies
co
uld
char
ge
mor
e fo
r ro
bust
thin
gs
if th
ey w
ere
back
ed b
y gu
aran
tees
.
Is C
onsu
mer
Cu
ltur
e w
hat’s
w
rong
wit
h th
e w
orld
?
No,
wan
ting
so
met
hing
for
noth
ing,
or
belie
ving
you
ha
ve th
e ri
ght
to s
omet
hing
is
wha
t’s
wro
ng w
ith
the
wor
ld.
How
doe
s up
cycl
ing
affe
ct th
e pl
anet
?
Ver
y lit
tle
but i
t has
a
chan
ce to
do
som
ethi
ng I
gues
s.
Wha
t is
the
diff
eren
ce
betw
een
recy
clin
g an
d up
cycl
ing?
To r
ecyc
le
invo
lves
ch
ange
, co
llect
ion
and
ener
gy. I
t ta
kes
tim
e an
d co
mpa
nies
on
ly u
se
recy
cled
goo
ds
if it
mak
es
them
mon
ey.
Upc
yclin
g is
a
muc
h m
ore
indi
vidu
al o
r sm
all b
usin
ess
thin
g.
Is it
bet
ter
to r
ecyc
le o
r up
cycl
e?
Nei
ther
, it’s
be
tter
to
use
less
. But
re
cycl
ing
is
larg
er s
cale
, (s
uch
as in
the
cons
truc
tion
in
dust
ry) s
o co
uld
have
m
ore
impa
ct
glob
ally
, up
cycl
ing
can
be b
ette
r fo
r in
divi
dual
s.
Is g
ivin
g bl
anke
ts to
th
e ho
mel
ess
recy
clin
g or
up
cycl
ing
for
exam
ple?
Who
sta
rted
th
e up
cycl
ing
revo
luti
on?
Who
kno
ws!
Pi
ltz,
Pau
li,
McD
onau
gh,
Brau
ngar
t.
Upcy
clin
gW
hat d
o yo
u th
ink
upcy
clin
g is
?
Taki
ng
som
ethi
ng
old
and
reva
mpi
ng it
.
Wha
t fiv
e w
ords
com
e to
min
d w
hen
you
thin
k of
up
cycl
ing?
Use
ful,
nece
ssar
y,
chea
p,
sust
aina
ble,
im
port
ant.
Coul
d up
cycl
ing
impr
ove
your
w
ell-b
eing
?
Supp
ose,
it
coul
d m
ake
you
feel
be
tter
, get
ting
be
tter
use
out
of
som
ethi
ng
that
was
br
oken
.
Coul
d th
e Ea
rth
be
save
d th
roug
h up
cycl
ing?
No,
I w
ould
n’t
say
the
wor
ld c
ould
be
sav
ed,
but i
t mig
ht
help
wit
h be
ing
mor
e en
viro
nmen
tally
frie
ndly
.
Wou
ld
com
pani
es
mak
e le
ss
mon
ey if
ev
eryt
hing
w
as b
uilt
to
last
like
it
used
to b
e?
I wou
ld th
ink
so y
eah.
Is C
onsu
mer
Cu
ltur
e w
hat’s
w
rong
wit
h th
e w
orld
?
I wou
ldn’
t say
it
was
wha
t w
as w
rong
w
ith th
e wor
ld,
ever
yone
wan
ts
a bi
t of l
uxur
y so
met
imes
.
How
doe
s up
cycl
ing
affe
ct th
e pl
anet
?
Low
ers
the
amou
nt o
f ru
bbis
h go
ing
to la
ndfi
ll.
Wha
t is
the
diff
eren
ce
betw
een
recy
clin
g an
d up
cycl
ing?
Recy
clin
g is
re
turn
ing
som
ethi
ng b
ack
to it
s raw
stat
e,
whi
lst u
pcyc
ling
is ta
king
so
met
hing
that
s a
bit w
orn,
an
d ta
king
so
met
hing
else
th
ats a
bit
wor
n,
and
putt
ing
them
toge
ther
to
crea
te
som
ethi
ng
that
’s us
able
ag
ain.
Is it
bet
ter
to r
ecyc
le o
r up
cycl
e?
I wou
ldn’
t say
ei
ther
one
was
be
tter
than
th
e ot
her
or
bene
fici
al.
Who
sta
rted
th
e up
cycl
ing
revo
luti
on?
I rea
lly d
on’t
know
.
Urban Decay research
Amelie Riis photographyHttp://www.urbandecay.org.uk/index.html
“I am passionate about abandoned and unloved buildings, particularly lunatic asylums. I spend as much time as possible photographically documenting these rapidly vanishing architectural masterpieces before they are lost forever.”
Some photos I have taken
I have chosen to base my research project on Upcyling. Upcycling in the process of turning unwanted items into something else, giving it a new life. If upcyling became a way of being then it would improve the planets sustainability by reducing the energy used in the manufacturing process and reduce the amount of raw materials used. Upcycling yourself gives personality and unique outcomes. The process of recycling, for example plastic, can downgrade the material. Once plastic has been recycled once, it is generally unable to be recycled again. This is called Down-cycling and all it does it delay the time it takes for that plastic to end up in landfill. Manufacturers still have to source new plastics. I will base my investigation on how Upcycling is used across the world in different cultures. I will look at when its been used successfully and also when it hasn’t really worked.
India
Http://backoftheenvelope.britishcouncil.org/2012/may/17/hendzel-hunt-upcycling-india/
The South London Design Studio Hendzel + Hunt went over to the Unbox Festival in New Delhi, India. Once there they created and ran an upcycling workshop.
“Back in New Delhi a colonial style bedroom becomes the site for debate and plan of action. We have three and a half days to turn a pile of objects in to a table and chairs. We assemble our ingredients - bike chains, bike chain ring, a sheet of ply, a door, motor and push bike. After plentiful food and drink, a heated discussion and the gentle squeeze of pressure, we confirm the table and as many stools as we can within the festival’s time frame. Three days of sourcing then gives us three days to complete the challenge. Technical drawings assist the compound angles within the table and stools. The decision for compound angles added a greater difficulty that if successful would showcase our technical ability whilst producing a beautiful object.”
“Hendzel + Hunt use their local area as an open resource. Waste materials are sourced from the streets and yards of SE15 and transformed into elegant and highly desirable furniture, which are imbued with their own stories informing the design process. The results hold intrigue and character, alongside a high level of craftsmanship, showcasing what can be achieved within small batch production.”
Conserve Dheli 2010
Conserve Delhi created a series of bags made from the waste left over from the Commonwealth games. The material that they used was called Tyvek. This material is made with finely spun high density polyethylene. This is a plastic derived from petroleum. This material is very lightweight, strong, water and stain resistant and was used for signage and banner systems. Conserve Delhi came to the conclusion that it was a perfect material to upcycle.
Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games ‘Breeda’ bag (sample) - Games banners and tyre tubing
Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games messenger bag (sample) made from athlete flags
China
Http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/culture/2013-06/19/content_16637395.htm
The British Embassy began its campaign to raise awareness of Up-cycling in China by launching an annual competition consisting of designing up-cycled products from industrial waste and surplus products at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, collaborating with universities and the Guangzhou Low Carbon Industry Association. The competitions aims were to provide solutions for a low-carbon economy. The exhibition was held at the EMGdotART centre in the Guangzhou’s art area.
America
Boris Bally-http://www.borisbally.com/#
Boris Ball’s work involves creating various items using old street signs, weapon parts and various found objects.
Hipcycle upcycled productsHttp://hipcycle.com/
Hipcycle is a dedicated online up-cycling store. Its aim is to help address the global waste problem through up-cycling.
Bag made from reclaimed fire hose,
Exploring processes case study
Textile artist: Julieanne Longhttp://textileartist.co.uk/
“Julieanne is a textile artist based in Cambridgeshire. Her textile art uses a variety of techniques ranging from knitting, needlelace, tapestry weaving and basketry. Her materials are usually recycled or found items.Inspiration is taken from the natural world, looking at plant collections from the Eden Project, Wisley and Kew. She is also interested in historical textiles with particular interest in those in the V&A.”
Full Fathom FiveBasketry, weaving, hand and machine embroidery, mixed media including Funeral service book, fishing net, flotsam & jetsam from various beaches.
RockpoolRecycled & found materials.
Flower GarlandCommission piece for the Hannah Preschar Sculpture Garden in Surrey. Made from knitted fishing line with flowers made from plastic bottles.
Ice 2Commission piece for the Hannah Preschar Sculpture Garden in Surrey. Made from CDs stitched together with fishing line and then cable ties attached. Approx 1 metre.
FountainCommission piece for the Hannah Preschar Sculpture Garden in SurreyMade with knitted plastic bottles and fishing line.
SpringMade with recycled & found objects stitched to acrylic panels.
Traffalgar SeasCommission piece for Portsmouth Naval MuseumMade from knitted plastic bottles and fishing line, dyed silk net, muslin & rope. Approx 3.5metres.
The piece was inspired by reading eye witness accounts of the battle of Trafalgar.
Exploring processes case study
Lotta Jansdotterwww..jansdotter.com
Lotta Jansdotter uses processes she learnt as a child such as printmaking techniques and simple sewing to create sophisticated pieces. She uses traditional methods and a DIY approach to create products for a busy city life.
Exploring processes case study
Craig Fellowswww.craigfellows.co.uk
“Craig Fellows is an award-winning textile print designer with a passion for colour and illustration, combining his fine art talents with his love of fashion and textiles. Using traditional, contemporary and digital printing techniques, Craig transforms his illustrations into beautiful fashion and interior pieces. Each piece is designed, printed, made and hand-finished in Britain. Every piece in Craig’s collection is completely unique and can truly not be found on the high street.”
My experiments with photography
My experiments with photography
My experiments with photography
My experiments with photography
Exploring processes case study
Mark Langon: langanart.com/about-mark-langan.htmal
mark Langan is an artist from Ohio who creates sculptural work using reclaimed materials such as corrugated boxes. He believes recycling and sustainability are important and tries to make an impact on how much ends up in landfill. He believes he can inspire others to do the same.
“My personal interpretation to the term “Corrugated Art” is the celebration of the unique properties of a highly visible manufactured product for which it was not purportedly intended. Striving to artistically focus by highlighting those aesthetically characteristic qualities which otherwise would be unknowingly ignored”.
Exploring processes case study- Laser-cutting
Rachel Ashe-http://rachaelashe.com/
Translating paper cut designs onto laser cut wood.
Exploring processes case study- Embroidery & Knitting
Ana Teresa Barboza - www.anateresabarboza.blogspot.co.ukhttp://www.theartfuldesperado.com/ana-teresa-barboza/
“Ana Teresa Barboza uses embroidery and knitting to compliment her graphite illustrations, creating a parallel between the process of manual crafts and drawing. Barboza’s imagery is just as astounding as her process, depicting scenes of women kissing lions and people embracing among a milieu of the natural and sewn. This work is an incredible exercise in creating hybrids, challenging the strictures of contemporary content and the purpose of certain artisan crafts.”
“Waste doesn’t exist in nature. One species’ waste is another species’ food. When a tree falls in a forest, it creates the nutrients for more trees to grow. Dung beetles feast on faeces and contribute to improved soil structure. Dead matter gets processed by microbes and ultimately becomes food.”http://www.walkoutwalkon.net/brazil/upcycling/
Exploring processes case study- Photography
Simon Larbalestier- http://www.simon-larbalestier.co.uk/
A fragment of a clock laid abandoned in South Korea.
Mr Grieves, London, 1988, Sleeve artwork for the Pixies “Doolittle”.
Bad Shoes, London, 1988, Sleeve artwork for the Pixies “Doolittle”.
Close up detail of a Lotus leaf
Exploring processes case study- ReformationsCraig Anthony
http://www.behance.net/gallery/GLASS-CANVAS-2013/5562063
“Glass canvas art retro modern funky groovy lit feature pieces amazing colours”.
Laser cut notes
2 kinds of images can be used to create laser cut pieces. One style uses vector graphics created using Illustrator, this is quicker and you can produce engraved, and completely cut through areas. Photo realistic imagery can also be created using JPEG or TIFF formats. JPEG’s must be changed to grey scale and ones with a high contrast work better. It’s important to reduce the range of greys to get the best appearance. Half tone images can also be used to great effect. Make sure files are the exact size you would like to print them at as resizing is more difficult on the laser cut computers. If using live trace on illustrator make sure you ignore white in the preferences. Make sure extra material is bought to practice on. Book session at the reception in the fabrication department up to two weeks in advance.
Sara Loveridge
“I would describe myself as a mixed media artist as I use a lot of collage and drawing in my work. My artwork reflects many personal experiences both past and present.
Recent pieces have been inspired by walks along the Sustrans Route 33 cycle path between Chard and Ilminster and also along the Jurassic Coast, particularly Charmouth. The organic patterns found in these landscapes - often appearing in the form of trees and fossils - have resulted in a series of drawings and collages that evoke personal journeys undertaken in these environments.”
- See more at: http://www.creativesomerset.com/sara-k-loveridge/?post-code=&q=sara+loveridge&network%5B0%5D=5&page=3#sthash.LavohS-FA.dpuf
Recycled teddy bears become rugs loaded with stories.
Agustina Woodrite
“The inspiration from the project came from her relationship with her own teddy bear but also oriental rugs. ‘I’ve also always enjoyed the symmetry of oriental rugs, and I had just discov-ered that they tell stories about people lives. In that matter, they’re like a book. You read them. This notion inspired me to take on the design in a more personal way. Every child in the world has a special relationship with a stuffed animal or a toy, and this relationship grows through-out time. We ascribe meaning to these objects, make them come alive, and they all have stories’ Augustina Woodrite says in the interview by Sight Unseen.” http://www.upcyclista.org/recycled-teddy-bears/
Stephen Sagmeister
Things I have Learnt in My Life So Far.
I am taking inspiration from Sagmeisters work to create large Typography pieces out in the environment.
I attempted to sew a plaited plastic bag onto fabric, spelling out every plastic bag buried in landfill takes 500 years to decay. Cant say it was the most successful mission so have decided to try another direction.
Constructed from melted plastic bags. I will later photograph this out in the environment.
Constructed from melted plastic bags. I want to photograph this in water to give some impact. i used different shades of blue plastic bags to make it look more like water.
This isn’t finished yet but the letters have been hhand sewn onto card. It reads nature doesn’t know the concept of waste. The only species capable of making something no-one else desires is the human species.
I found an old lampshade on the street and had this idea that if I cut letters out then when the lampshade was used it would project the letters onto the wall. On the original lampshade though I cut the letters out back to front (classic school boy error I hear you say) So I constructed another lampshade from paper and cut the letters out of that. It didn’t work like I had planned now its time for plan two. Cutting the letters out a flat piece of card and shining a lamp through it. Will this work? I hope so...
Plan 2
How I have used Up-cycling.
From scrap and donated fabrics, fabrics from clothes swaps and charity shops I have created a series of patchwork bags.
Final proposal
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