Animal Sculptures Made From Reclaimed Kitchen Utensils and Other Household Items

Japanese Shinto beliefs are such that all objects and organisms have spirits — even those that we perceive as “trash.” Artist Sayaka Ganz uses these beliefs that she was taught at a young age to create beautiful animal sculptures.

Ganz reclaims forgotten plastic objects — such as spatulas, serving spoons, and pasta servers. And, by using them to create sculptures that appear in motion, she helps perpetuate the concept of these items having life.

I only select objects that have been used and discarded. My goal is for each object to transcend its origin by being integrated into an animal/ organic forms that are alive and in motion. This process of reclamation and regeneration is liberating to me as an artist.”

[artist’s site, via Colossal]

Lamps Made from Recycled Coffee Grounds

Spanish designer Raul Lauri has come up with a stylish and creative way to use renewable material, with a set of lamps made from recycled coffee grounds. Officially-titled Decafé, the coffee grounds are heat and pressure treated, and formed to mimic the shape of a coffee mug. No mention if they make the environment smell of coffee — that would be a bonus.

[link, via Design Taxi]