Local studio Bolsón has taken a creative approach to sustainability by repurposing low-density plastic typically used in banana production to adorn Mooni, an art gallery and boutique shop located in Mexico City’s vibrant Condesa neighbourhood.
The innovative project, aptly named Banana Blue, was unveiled during the city’s art week, showcasing a fusion of eco-conscious design and artistic expression.
Noberto Miranda, the founder of Bolsón, spearheaded the initiative, sourcing the blue plastic from a plantation in Jalisco owned by his family. Alongside local urban waste, this discarded plastic found new life as interior cladding and furniture pieces for Mooni. Miranda’s hands-on approach involved using a heat gun and body pressure to transform the plastic, creating a distinctive aesthetic that reflects both creativity and sustainability.
The project aims to challenge conventional perceptions of plastic while promoting a more manual and intimate relationship with the material. Miranda’s technique, characterized by hand fabrication and the use of body weight, offers a departure from the industrialized processes typically associated with plastic production. By showcasing the artistic potential of recycled plastic in a fine art setting, Miranda hopes to encourage a shift in how plastic is perceived, moving away from its traditional role as a purely industrial material.
“Seeking to reassign meaning to this waste and propose a different relationship with this omnipresent but often misunderstood and discarded material, Bolsón transforms the useless into pieces of art and utilitarian objects of aesthetic value, with the prevalence of the color blue,” said Mooni. “Banana Blue is a dialogue between nature, art, and sustainability.”
In addition to the striking cladding, Mooni featured small stools crafted from compressed plastic, further highlighting the versatility and potential of recycled materials in design. These unique pieces, developed by Miranda, complemented the fine art on display, creating a harmonious blend of sustainability and creativity within the space.
Miranda emphasized that while plastic is often associated with a manufactured, “alien” appearance, projects like Banana Blue offer a fresh perspective, demonstrating the aesthetic possibilities inherent in recycled materials. Through initiatives like this, Bolsón strives to inspire both designers and consumers to reconsider their approach to sustainability, fostering a greater appreciation for innovative, eco-friendly design solutions.
By transforming waste into works of art, Bolsón’s collaboration with Mooni exemplifies the potential for sustainable design to make a meaningful impact within the realms of architecture, construction, and beyond.
Images via Dezeen
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