01: Karang Garang
Gentle Giants
More than just an exhibition; it’s a statement on how we can rethink and redefine our relationship with materials.
Part of Singapore Design Week 2024.
Photo credits: LAANK, Singapore Design Week.
Adopting a Karang Guni (Malay for scrap dealer) mindset and being Garang (Malay for courageous and enthusiastic) in approach, this exhibition demonstrates how construction waste can be creatively repurposed into refreshing, functional pieces of furniture and innovative new materials, challenging conventional notions of waste and design.
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
The construction industry is one with a gigantic impact on the environment. How can interior designers be less of the cause of this problem and start being a part of the solution? How does one take on a gentler approach and leave lighter footprints yet bigger impact on the environment? What does one do with the mountain of samples in the material catalogues, chips off the marble and stone blocks, wood off-cuts and fabric dead-stock?
The Artworks
SPECTRUM, 2024
Laminate Samples, Plywood & Paint
A vibrant table art piece that transforms colourful laminate samples into a conversational piece and functional work of art. By arranging an array of laminate pieces in a harmonious composition, this table redefines everyday furniture as a canvas for bold, artistic expression of “Acceptance”. Symbolizing the power of acceptance, each laminate sample, with its unique splash of colour and texture, contributes to a unified visual spectrum that celebrates diversity and individuality. The table not only captivates and engages viewers but also embodies the idea that every element, no matter how different, has a valuable place in the whole, reflecting a message of acceptance and appreciation for varied perspectives.
Credits: Lamitak, Admira, Lam Chuan, Panaplast, Wilson Art, Jennings, Briwerks, Jenny (LAANK)
Reclaimed Dialogue, 2024
Table Installation – Engineered Wood, Artificial Flowers, Electric Candles, Recycled Everyday Items
Reclaimed Dialogue is a thought-provoking installation table piece that transforms a common dining setting into a conversation-starter about creativity in upcycling.
This playful installation redefines upcycling, blending functionality with artistry to create an interactive and visually stimulating table setting, tantalising your senses with a meal presented on entirely upcycled materials.
Stacked and staggered upcycled engineered wood planks, repurposed wedding floral arrangements with recycled everyday items (egg cartons, plastic yoghurt covers and spoons, fresh fruits) and the much shunned electric candles set the stage for the visual and sensorial feast. The piece invites viewers to rethink the longevity of what we bring to the table–be it a slice of pizza, a joke or a take on sustainability. Join the dialogue.
Credits: Blessed Blooms, Wood & Wood
Interlay, 2024
Obsolete Porcelain Tile , Slot with Plywood
A conventional art piece that transforms the humble yellow tile into an elegant, visually striking screen feature. Through the meticulous arrangement of yellow tile samples, this piece reimagines the tile’s role from a mere construction material to a sophisticated medium of artistic expression. The screen serves as both a functional object and a work of art, offering a unique interplay of colour, light play, and form.
Credits: Surface Project, Briwerks, Rachel (LAANK)
Tactile-Textile, 2024
Mixed Media, Fabric Swatches, Plywood, Paint
Exploring the intersection of texture, materiality, and artistic expression through the manipulation of fabric, this interactive pieces invites visitors to explore the tactile nature of fabric through visual and physical interaction. The base layer is made from a mélange of fabric swatches that are folded and glued together, and with each addition, the piece is enriched in colour, texture and depth, opening up to endless possibilities.
Credits: Cetec, Puteri (LAANK), You
Resilience, 2024
Broken Marble, Gum
A invigorating wall cladding art piece that transforms broken marble fragments into a cohesive and elegant installation, inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi. This piece celebrates the beauty of imperfections and the transformative power of repair, using the fractured marble as a canvas for artistic renewal. By incorporating gold lacquer into the cracks and joints, “Resilience” transforms the notion of damage into a testament of strength and grace.
Credits: MM Galleri, Briwerks, Priscilla (LAANK)
ROGER & SONS
Roger&Sons is a team of ethical makers and mavericks who craft fine furniture and thoughtful objects. Their work is driven by inquiry, and spans disciplines: furniture, industrial, and product design, as well as woodworking.
Sawdust Lamps (Left)
Instead of discarding the sawdust which is often the industry norm, the leftover saw dust is bound together by eco-friendly glue and upcycled into these simple, functional and beautifully textured Saw Dust Lamps.
Carrier, Galley Cart
An exclusive collaboration with Singapore Airlines, the galley cart is from retired Airbus A380 planes. This upcycling collaboration features Roger&Son’s initiative, The Local Tree Project—an effort to rehabilitate abandoned logs felled in our city.
