Formafantasma delves into the
afterlife of ELECTRONIC WASTE
REUSE – Formafantasma addresses the
shortcomings of e-waste recycling with a
presentation of recent work that places design
thinking at the crux of the global problem.
Commissioned by the National Gallery of
Victoria, Ore Streams is a furniture show-
cum-video installation: together they form an
ecological metaphor for the complex circula-
tion of electronic waste that spans the world,
without regard for political boundaries.
Ore Streams features collage-like
office furniture made from an array of repur-
posed items, including old microwaves and
keyboards. Displayed in a workplace context,
the pieces highlight the themes of efficiency
and organization. Images of the surface of
Mars add to the show’s alien atmosphere.
Visitors are encouraged to contemplate pro-
duction in all its guises.
An 18-channel video installation
depicts the afterlife of electronic devices –
an estimated 70 per cent of which never reach
an appropriate recycling facility – and outlines
design strategies that can make recycling safer,such as the creation of more efficient connec-
tions and a universal colour-coding system.
By 2080 the largest metal reserves are
predicted to be no longer underground but
in ‘ingots stored in private buildings’ or in a
wide range of consumer electronics. Forma-
fantasma demonstrates the power of design
to close the e-waste loop by tackling both
ends of the production line. – AS
Ore Streams is open until 15 April 2018
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