@studiogonzalobascunan explores cotton as a recycled material which gives shape to the pieces directly from the material itself, with particular attention to its texture, properties and intrinsic character of eco-conscious design. The site- specific installation is conceived around the play of colors which are sometimes linear, soft and organic, always enriched by a circular economy approach. The contrast between the surfaces, the carded finished and the ability to achieve shades with different color gradients contribute to create an aesthetic and formal balance into a maximum maximalismo. 

The inspiration for Carding Collectibles comes from the environmental impact of fast fashion on the Atacama Desert, a place deeply loved by the designer. Despite its extreme arid conditions, the desert blooms with flowers every seven years. However, in recent times, this natural wonder has been overshadowed by a growing crisis. Each year, 39,000 tons of unsold and unrecycled fast fashion waste are discarded here, turning parts of the desert into a textile graveyard. This stark contrast between nature’s resilience and human excess drives the project’s vision: to transform discarded fibers into meaningful contemporary sculptural pieces that highlight the urgent need for conscious consumption. 

Innovation and Sustainability 

The installation is strategically positioned within the space, using color to create a maximalist interplay of hues, centred around precise geometric compositions. Each lighting object is crafted from recycled cotton fibers, reinforcing a commitment to waste reduction and the promotion of a circular economy. The cotton is hand-dyed through a process designed to minimize environmental contamination, ensuring an eco-conscious design. 

Incorporating high-efficiency LED technology, the luminaires emit a soft, diffused warm light while minimizing energy consumption. By combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary lighting technology, these sculptural pieces encourage a more conscious relationship between design, materials and the environment.

About | Studio Gonzalo Bascuñan 

Gonzalo Bascuñan - Art and Design studio established in 2020 based in Milan. Independent studio that works in fields of DESIGN RESEARCH, ARCHITECTURE FOR EXHIBITION, PRODUCT DESIGN and PUBLIC ART. A body of work that reflects contemporary society and the times we live in. Engaging spaces and an artistic approach to design can be found in gallery pieces and autonomous art projects in the public domain. 

Biography | 

Gonzalo Bascuñán is a Chilean-born designer and artist based in Milan. His practice explores the intersection of craftsmanship, sustainability and contemporary design, creating collectible objects, immersive installations and public artworks that investigate the relationship between people, objects and the environment. Driven by an ongoing exploration of innovation, circular design and the expressive potential of materials, his work promotes new perspectives on responsible production and conscious consumption.

Alongside his independent practice, Gonzalo is a lecturer in the Master's Degree in Designing Atmospheres at POLI.design, Politecnico di Milano.

Press Contact/ For press inquiries, interviews, or additional materials, please contact: 

Email: info@gonzalobascunan.com 

Phone: +39 340 197 33 94 

Website: www.gonzalobascunan.com 

Instagram: @studiogonzalobascunan