 Take this table for instance, the materials used to make it include reclaimed and upcycled wood and repurposed composite materials. Even the steel base has been "upcycled." The designer calls them "eco-art" and I agree with statement. He says what is reclaimed and incorporated into these designs should never have been discarded.
The designer of these functional pieces of upcycled artwork is Michael Yonke. His profile says upcycling is achieved by repurposing the materials into objects with higher end use value that will endure and inspire for centuries.
However, I admit he lost me completely when I saw the prices for the items in his store. I'm certainly not spending nearly $3,000 for a 3' table unless of course it cleans itself or tells me the winning lottery numbers. But I do like idea of upcycling.Labels: future friendly, upcycling |
Christy,
Thank you for the insightful review of my work. Taking upcycling to a new level is vital imho in the growing repurposing movement. The main design themes integrated into my work are art and using materials that were not valued by the last user yet very high quality that now become new and higher value. A key artistic statement of the "what is possible" within an very wasteful modern society, America. I am sorry you got lost on the price, but then again valuing art is often difficult and right now in terms of time/labor, I ask how does one value 100 hours of time vs. a much larger artistic statement on the value of the Earth's wasted resources?
What you see now is about collectible art. Stay tuned, as I have many more simple utilitarian designs for the world sans or less laborious art. I like your idea a table that cleans itself. I recently read of a nano particle eco furniture finish that may do just that, yet it may be years before it is marketed.
Michael Yonke