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Multiple Artists

Design Transfigured/Waste Reimagined

An exhibition of international designers that position environmental concerns and sustainability at the center of their process.

Feb 1 - Sep 6, 2020

Design Transfigured/Waste Reimagined is the first exhibition to recognize designers using extreme and inventive upcycling to address the current state of our depleted and polluted environment. Waste produced by humans is so abundant that it is disrupting natural resources. In order to reduce our footprint on earth, these 30 international designers and studios—from Asia, Latin America and Europe—are pioneering a new direction in design by radically transforming waste into useful products. Many of the designers are recent graduates or faculty of design academies and universities, noting a shift in the world of design and design education, from function at the service of aesthetic considerations to socially responsible, environmental remediation.

A series of exhibition programs will be presented in collaboration with the Center for Philosophical Technologies—a strategic initiative of Arizona State University and a global hub for critical and speculative research on philosophy, technology, and design.

Participating designers:
Kosuke Araki, Japan; Bentu, China; Oksana Bondar, United Kingdom; Dutch Invertuals, Netherlands; Edhv, Architects of identity, Netherlands; Simón Ballen Botero, Colombia/Netherlands; Jesper Eriksson, United Kingdom; Liselore Frowijn, Netherlands/Carmen Hijosa, Spain/United Kingdom; Fransje Gimbrère, Netherlands; Kodai Iwamoto, Japan; Charlotte Kidger, United Kingdom; Sinae Kim, Korea; Fernando Laposse, Mexico/United Kingdom; Majstudio, Netherlands; Malai, India; Christien Meindertsma, Netherlands; Kirstie van Noort, Netherlands; Studio ThusThat, United Kingdom; Sophie Rowley, Germany; James Shaw, United Kingdom; The Shellworks, United Kingdom; Laura Strambi, Italy; Studio Agne, Netherlands; Studio Formafantasma, Italy/Netherlands; Studio Nienke Hoogvliet, Netherlands; Studio Roosegaarde, Netherlands; Studio Swine, United Kingdom; Universidad del Istmo, Guatemala; Vij5/Studio/Mieke Meijer/Floris Hovers/Studio rENs, Netherlands; Dirk Vander Kooij, Netherlands

Organized by Maria & Alberto de la Cruz Art Gallery at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. and curated by c2-curatorsquared, a partnership between Ginger Gregg Duggan and Judith Hoos Fox. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art presentation organized by Lauren R. O’Connell, assistant curator.

 

Design Transfigured Artist Process Videos


Studio ThusThat (formerly known as RED), Red Mud (1:26 min). Courtesy of the studio.

 


Simón Ballen, Botero Suelo Orfebre (4:17 min). Courtesy of the studio.

 


Studio Roosegaarde, The Smog Free Project (1:46 min). Courtesy of the studio.

 


The Shellworks, The Shellworks (3:09 min). Courtesy of the studio.

 


Bentu, Wreck (2:02 min). Courtesy of the studio.

 


Dirk Vander Kooij, Endless CHAIR (2:10 min). Courtesy of the studio. Music: “Getting Nowhere” by Magnetic
Man featuring John Legend.


 

Related Press Releases

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art Brings Exhibition of Experimental Design to Phoenix

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art Announces Spring Events and a Collaboration with Arizona State University

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art Announces Upcoming 2020 Exhibition Schedule

Design Transfigured/Waste Reimagined in the Press

Director and Chief Curator Jennifer McCabe and Assistant Curator Lauren O’Connell talked with Images Arizona about the innovative designs and unusual materials featured in Design Transfigured.

Worth magazine included Design Transfigured in its list of reasons why you should visit Scottsdale now.

Design magazine Dezeen featured the exhibition and right highlights from the innovative designers in Eight designs that make use of waste products.

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