The flowers of the Cape served as the inspiration for an installation that provided food for thought on the issue of sustainable development.
Academics and students from the Design Department joined academics from the University of Lapland for a three-day workshop which culminated in the installation being placed on a lamppost in District Six.
Titled Flowers of the Cape, the project saw the participants creating flowers from plastic bottles and bags and other plastic waste.
Prof Satu Miettinen, Dean of the University of Lapland’s Faculty of Art and Design, said the participants had visited Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden to draw inspiration.
“This particular project is about sustainable development and figuring out your individual relationship to recycling and sustainability issues.”
She said it was hoped that the installation would draw some reflections from people.
“I will also document the installation and the work process and the photographs will be exhibited in Finland in the Victor Barsokevitsch Photographic Gallery.”
BTech Surface Design student Nicolene Mulder said when she heard what the project was about she immediately wanted to be part of it.
“I have already been working with plastic. It is important to promote plastic upcycling. I also want to use what people throw away to make the point that they should stop using it.”
The project forms part of the Participatory Development with the Youth (PARTY) Project, an international project which aims to support marginalised youth in developing countries.
Vikki Eriksson, a Lecturer in CPUT’s Department of Research, Innovation and Partnerships, said the benefits of the project included building bridges with institutions elsewhere in the world and fostering relationships on a one on one academic level but also at departmental and institutional level.
BLOOMING BEAUTIFUL: The flower installation was placed on a lamppost.
