Over the past century, there has been a huge shift in mindset, practice and policies for the ways in which we manufacture our goods. The Industrial Revolution may have exponentially sped up our technological and mechanical abilities and caused unparalleled developments in terms of how we make things, but it did so at a cost.
Pollution, the previously unknown side effect of industry, takes many different forms. One such example comes in the form of heavy metal, which steadily became deposited in the soil surrounding production sites from the end of the 18 th century onwards.
Designer Agne Kucerenkaite has created a project that looks to raise awareness of this problem whilst using the waste material in a positive manner, producing beautiful and practical objects in the process.
Collecting soil from six sites known to have polluted content in the ground, such as a zinc factory in Budel, she began experimenting with mixing the soil with a number of other materials including textiles, porcelain clay, glaze and glass.
The resulting tableware range made with the contaminated soil glaze reminds us of the lessons we must not forget from our past, whilst offering a timeless yet personal product fit for our future.
