From August 14th to September 23rd, I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a residency in China, organized by the Rong Design Library and Pro Helvetia Shanghai. During this residency, I chose to visit Boshan, in Zibo, a city recognized as the birthplace of Chinese glass artistry.
The city is saturated with glass art, from handblown pieces to complex sculptures in vibrant colors famously known as ´liuliª. In China, liuli refers to artisanal glass, setting it apart from “boli”, which describes industrial glass used for everyday items like bottles and drinking glasses. Liuli is known for its striking palette, featuring colors such as imperial yellow, also called chicken fat, chicken liver red, and opal white, commonly referred to as China white.
In Boshan, I worked with Xiye Gonfang, a famous local glass factory. On the first day, I discovered that the factory also produced extruded glass rods as material for future glass beads. The process of creating these rods, from extrusion to cutting and packaging, was fascinating. The waste glass produced during calibration formed unique, colorful shapes that resembled candies. Intrigued by these remnants, I sought to repurpose them into new creations. Although the workshop staff were skeptical about using this waste due to the risk of breakage, I was determined to experiment. I collected interesting waste samples and handed them to Mr. Lee, our first craftsman, to test. The results were promising, with the melted waste transforming into beautiful, soft patterns.
This project aims to raise the dialog on waste management by a rather soft and poetic approach. By transforming waste into new creations, I sought to celebrate the beauty of imperfection and uniqueness while challenging traditional notions of material value. Experimenting with discarded fragments yielded surprising results, demonstrating that even the byproducts of production hold potential for innovation.
Ultimately, this research underscores the transformative power of design. It demonstrates that waste is not an endpoint but a starting point for innovation, creativity, and dialogue about our collective responsibility for the planet. By embracing the dual goals of preserving heritage and promoting sustainability, this project encourages a new perspective on materials, one that values their potential rather than their disposability.
Project kindly supported by Rong Design Library and Pro Helvetia Shanghai