Discarded cans have been converted into many things thanks to the vigilance of environmentally conscious individuals; but Can City has to be a first. It is a sustainable street art project that involves these scrap materials being turned into one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture.
With the help of waste collectors known as catadores, Studio Swine was able to put together Can City. They essentially take the recyclable objects and give them a second lease on life by using a mobile foundry. This mini factory itself is made up of salvaged materials and a scrap beer barrel. Powered by vegetable oil, a simple sand casting technique is employed using readily available construction sand from local building sites.
As reported by PSFK, "Can City was made for the Coletivo Amor de Madre Gallery in São Paulo with support from Heineken."
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Sustainable Street Art
- The Can City project highlights the trend of using discarded materials in street art to create sustainable and unique pieces.
- Upcycled Furniture
- Studio Swine demonstrates the trend of transforming scrap materials, such as cans, into one-of-a-kind furniture pieces, promoting eco-friendly design.
- Mobile Foundry
- The use of a mobile foundry in Can City showcases the trend of on-the-go manufacturing, enabling the creation of furniture and art in unconventional locations.
Where This Applies
- Art and Design
- The Can City project presents disruptive innovation opportunities for artists and designers to explore sustainable materials and create eco-conscious outdoor installations.
- Waste Management
- The collaboration with waste collectors in Can City highlights potential innovations in waste management practices, such as turning recyclable materials into valuable art and furniture.
- Construction and Manufacturing
- The use of a mobile foundry in Can City opens up opportunities for disruptive innovations in construction and manufacturing industries by bringing portable manufacturing capabilities to remote locations.
