1300 recycled baskets make up this functional artwork
The lines between art, function, education and public awareness are blurred in the 1300 Recycling Pavilion, a project presented by Architect Hyunje Joo.
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The temporary 1300 Recycling Pavilion is located in Suseong-gu, South Korea, with the goal of reorienting what we know about everyday items. While it’s common to find a pavilion in a public space, this one makes a statement unlike the rest. It’s a new perspective on the mundane, drawing attention to the materials that surround us.
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The Pavilion is built from recycled baskets — 1300 of them, to be precise. As a temporary installation, it’s a project meant to inspire conscientiousness about the materials in our lives and how they’re used. The structure provides seating, tiered in the form of bleachers like one might find at sporting events. Beneath the bleachers, the Pavilion is open for exploration in a space that provides natural light through the semi-transparent surfaces of the baskets. The connecting hardware is visible, highlighting the man-made component. The filtered light creates a connection between the protected interior area and the surrounding exterior.
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From the outside, especially at night, the lights from inside create a glow across the surface. A variety of colored bulbs reflects an artistic expression, casting a different emphasis on the display. The commonly-found baskets used for the project may also be described as totes or containers. All 1300 of them are set to be recycled again at the end of the installation period.
“The passage of time is more actively sensed from both inside and outside, as these light effects stimulate our senses,” said Hyunje Joo. “The project is not about the ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ ways of using objects, but rather about highlighting their affordances or meanings. We say the intent is to create an economical, flexible, light and recyclable flexible element. These small but attractive and functional structures reveal the potential in the world of architecture to adapt to environmental needs.”